Fergie chasing fool's gold as stars burn out

YOKOHAMA, Japan: Hot favorites to win the Club World Cup in Japan this month, the fear for Manchester United is that the prize turns out to be fools' gold.

A 12,000-mile round trip in the hope of being crowned the world's best could take its toll on United's players as they bid to defend their English and European titles.

Part-timers Waitakere United should be safely back home in New Zealand's summer sunshine by the time the Red Devils sweep through customs into Tokyo's wintry chill early next Monday.