Hargreaves out until next year

Manchester United's preparations for next season have been dealt an early blow with Owen Hargreaves, the England midfield player, unlikely to be back in action until January. Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager, had hoped to have Hargreaves playing by the start of the new season in August, but his recovery from two knee operations is taking longer than expected and neither the club nor the player is prepared to rush his return for fear of a setback. The next couple of months are likely to provide more definitive answers, with Hargreaves hopeful of being able to join his team-mates for light training once or twice a week from next month or August before stepping up his rehabilitation programme to include more rigorous training after that. It is doubtful, though, that he will return to action before the new year.
James Ducker, The Times

Douglas back on United agenda

Manchester United could be ready to make a swoop for Brazilian sensation Douglas Costa, his agent has confirmed.

The Red Devils have been tracking Costa for nearly two years after their South American scouring network highlighted his potential.

Now 18, the Gremio starlet is again under consideration by United, who feel he could help fill the void soon to be left by Cristiano Ronaldo's departure to Real Madrid.

Costa has also been tracked by the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan over the past 18 months, and Gremio managed to tie him to a big four-year deal.

But they are unlikely to stand in his way and the young forward's agent has confirmed that United have rekindled their interest in the wake of Ronaldo's transfer.

"They [Manchester United] have identified four or five possible replacements for Cristiano Ronaldo in the world, and Douglas is one of them," agent Cesar Bottega told Radio Gaucha.

"We have been contacted by several clubs some time ago, including Manchester [United], but by South American ones as well."

we got 7 midfielder, do u want more?
Fletcher, Anderson, Scholes, Hargreave, Carrick, Gibson and Possebon

something that isnt so right!!! its like been hacked..

i would rather sir alex bought a midfielder aggressor who knows how to make good passing and occasionally could score a few goals himself , ie; around 15 goals a season . anderson and carrick and fletcher are not in that category however much i love them and scholes and giggs just didn't have the legs anymore .i just wanna be realistic.

as for the strikeforce , i would prefer we give opportunity to youngsters like welbeck and kiko who looks promising . besides , we still have rooney and berba and  with ronaldo and tevez gone , i'm  sure these players will buck-up and score more often than last season giving the goal scoring opportunity created by man utd team.

again, it all depend on sir alex and how much more time he wants to give the team or squad . does he have enough faith in the youngsters and the 2 or 3 oldies or he wants to get a highly reputable big name player that will cost a bom.

as time is not on his side like the decade before , my bet is he will go a for a big name player and a forward too