I don't think that Ferguson will expend too much energy on the Europa League. I have to think he would much rather win the league or the FA Cup, and will prioritize those competitions. Still, if it comes down to the Europa League or no silverware, he may just have a go.
The Rooney ban reduction is inexplicable (and as far as I can tell, it remains unexplained by UEFA as well). Now we know why the FA decided to base England out of Poland, rather than the Ukraine. If Rooney scores a winner against the Ukraine, the locals will not be happy...
EDIT: Embarrassing Almost-Sponsor News
The Columbus Crew may be getting a shirt sponsor:
Simply Pure Milk, a fine-filtered milk manufacturer, asked Crew fans, via Twitter, to
"stay tuned" for an
"exciting announcement". Either they are planning to implement a "Milk & Cookies Night" at Crew Stadium, or it looks like a potential sponsor deal. Despondent Crew fans have already done a mockup (see below).
😱
....fortunately, minutes after I posted this the Crew's front office
confirmed through the local paper that this is a sponsorship deal - but not a shirt sponsorship deal. <sigh of relief>