Skysports.com understands that Wes Brown has emerged as a possible transfer target for new Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish.
McLeish was confirmed as the new man at the helm at Villa Park on Friday and has already begun making plans for his moves in the transfer market.
Manchester United stalwart Brown has been tipped to leave Old Trafford this summer after 15 years with the North West giants.
The versatile defender made just 15 appearances last season and has already been linked with a switch to Sunderland under former team-mate Steve Bruce.
McLeish believes that the 31-year-old former England international could be a useful addition to his Villa squad and is considering an approach.
Newcastle full-back Danny Simpson has also been linked with a possible switch from St James' Park to Villa Park in recent times.
Wes Brown is being lined up for a £3million move to Everton.
The 31-year-old Manchester United defender is also wanted by Sunderland, Bolton and Blackburn after being told by Sir Alex Ferguson that his time at Old Trafford is up following the emergence of Chris Smalling and arrival of £16.5m Phil Jones.
But Brown, who came through the ranks at United after joining his hometown club as a schoolboy in 1996, prefers a switch to Goodison Park to link-up once again with Phil Neville.
And Everton boss David Moyes hopes to be given the cash to land him.
Added on June 19, 2011, 2:19 pmHernandez just scored the winning goal for Mexico to help them come from behind to beat Guatemala 2-1..who has the highlights?
Hernandez fires Mexico through
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Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez was the toast of Mexico once again on Saturday night as the United striker fired his national team into the CONCACAF Gold Cup semi-finals.
The prolific Reds marksman struck the winner in the 66th minute as the Mexicans came back from 0-1 down to beat Guatemala 2-1 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey, USA. Carlos Ruiz scored a shock fifth-minute opener for the underdogs but when Aldo De Nigris equalised just after half-time, it gave Chicharito the platform to go on and settle the quarter-final clash, a feat he achieved with a sublime back heel from Pablo Barrera's driven right-wing cross.
"This time it was different than the other games when we scored first," said Chicharito. "We went in and worked hard in the second half to get chances. My goal was instinct. I saw the ball at my feet and put the ball in the net."
Chicharito's winner was his sixth goal in the biennial tournament for North and Central America and the Caribbean. He scored a hat-trick in the opener against El Salvador and followed up with a double against Cuba. Only Costa Rica, Mexico's final group-stage opponents, have stopped him from scoring so far.
The Mexican's next opponents Honduras could have a problem in Houston on Wednesday, 22 June. The venue for the semi-final clash, the Reliant Stadium, is where Chicharito scored on his first-ever appearance in a United shirt during last summer's tour of the US.
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Danny Welbeck has revealed Sir Alex Ferguson has promised he will be given the chance to prove he can become a Manchester United regular next season.
Like many youngsters at Old Trafford, Welbeck has been forced to wait for his big break, spending the majority of his career out on loan.
But the 20-year-old will return to United after England's European Under-21 Championship campaign with an assurance he will be able to show how much he has improved.
"The manager said I'll get decent opportunities and hopefully I'll take them and progress from there," said Welbeck, who admitted he would be forced to consider moving on if he failed to make it into Ferguson's first-team plans.
"It gets to the stage where you have to decide on your future but I'm still only 20 and looking forward to my opportunity."
Welbeck made his United debut two months short of his 18th birthday and scored on both his Premier League and FA Cup debuts.
It got even better for him when he started the 2009 Carling Cup final win over Tottenham.
But that was arguably the peak of his Old Trafford career so far and he has not played for his parent club for almost a year and a half.
Instead, he has trodden the same path as many United hopefuls before him by attempting to prove himself while on loan.
And he has largely done that, both at Preston and - last season - Sunderland.
"Going on loan really benefits you," said Welbeck, who is set to lead the line again in England's must-win European Under-21 Championship clash with the Czech Republic on Sunday.
"You learn massive amounts. It's experience you can't gain from being at United on the bench.
"I was playing with top strikers. Darren Bent was there at the start and then Asamoah Gyan came.
"I learnt a lot from Darren in training as well every day.
"It was the same with Asamoah as well and I'll always take that into my learning process."
That process continues in Denmark, where Welbeck's bid to impress Ferguson has yielded mixed fortunes.
He scored England's only goal of the tournament so far in their scrambled 1-1 draw with Spain but missed when clean through against Ukraine.
But his big problem has been a lack of support from midfield, leaving him all too often isolated up front.
"The team's not really had great possession of the ball at times so I've not really got onto the ball as much as I'd like," he said.
"We need to get on the ball a bit more, actually take control of the game and make them chase the ball more."
Head coach Stuart Pearce revealed yesterday his players may have been paralysed by nerves in their opening two draws against Spain and Ukraine, but not Welbeck.
"I don't see any need to be nervous," he said ahead of Sunday's final Group B match.
"It's different with every player but I go into every game like I'm playing at school, looking forward to getting on the pitch."
England's performances have been frustrating for their fans and also Pearce, who has nevertheless managed to keep his own temper in check.
Welbeck said: "I've not seen that side yet and don't plan on seeing it either.
"He's cool, calm and collected, lets you know his thoughts and he's really motivational, so you really know once his words are out of his mouth, it goes into your brain and stays there."
Never more so than when Pearce hauled Welbeck off after introducing him as a substitute against Greece early in his under-21 career almost two years ago.
Pearce said: "I spoke to him after the game and said that when you enter the pitch for England, you have to work harder than you did.
"He's rolled his sleeves up and his work rate is sensational and he's got goals.
"I know Fabio's a real big fan of his."
Indeed senior boss Fabio Capello handed Welbeck his first cap in March's friendly against Ghana.
The striker's debut came after he snubbed the chance to represent England's opponents, who jeered him mercilessly when he came off the bench at Wembley.
"I even had a few cousins in the stands and they said they were booing!" Welbeck joked.
"It was fine. We all had a little laugh at the end of the game.
"I've still got aunties and uncles back in Ghana and they were all really happy for me having made my debut for England so it was all sweet."
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Striker Javier Hernandez is determined to build on his 'dream' debut season for Manchester United.
Hernandez, currently on Gold Cup duty with Mexico, scored 20 goals for the Red Devils following his arrival from Guadalajara last summer to help United win the Premier League and reach the Champions League final.
And he has no plans to be a one-season wonder, with the 23-year-old telling L'Equipe: "I am very happy that, as a squad, we won the English championship.
"This is a wonderful thing, especially after a title race so competitive. Chelsea, Arsenal and even Manchester City battled to the end, but we never doubted our strength.
"Our team has such soul and such spirit. Success is written into the DNA of this club. I'm at the best club in the world.
"Everything is done to succeed and win titles. There is only the Champions League defeat that sticks in the throat.
"Personally, I am extremely happy with my season, but I do not rest on my laurels. I want to do even better next season. I want to help this club to make history."
Hernandez admitted his goal tally had taken even him by surprise on his first season in English football.
"Early in the season, I thought I would have limited playing time, or very limited," he said.
"At best, I thought my season would be coming off the bench late in games, trying to unlock a complicated situation.
"Basically, the aim for the season was essentially to adapt to the Premier League, especially physically. But gradually I got playing time, and I started to feel confident, scoring a few goals early in the season.
"Everything was so fast. I could not have hoped for it. I had a dream season."
Hernandez says his team's 2-1 win at Stoke on 24th October was when he really felt comfortable as a United player.
"There was a game that really made me realise that I could have an interesting season. It was the match against Stoke City in which I scored twice," he said.
"Throughout the match, I felt perfectly at ease in the game. I felt like I had been playing for Manchester United for 10 years!
"Thanks to my team-mates, I could express myself freely on the pitch. I think it was the pivotal game in my season. I will remember it all my life."
Manchester United will find out within the next 48 hours if their bid for Lens starlet Raphael Varane has been successful.
United have been tracking the Lens stopper for a number of months and were the first side to make a move for him this summer.
They lodged a bid of around 10million euros for the 18-year-old central defender, who admitted he was considering his options carefully.
Varane intimated he would like to continue playing first-team football next season, so United were set to allow him to move back to France on loan.
Real Madrid, who have also lodged a bid, were also happy for him to return as part of the deal but he also looks set to have the option to move within his homeland as Paris Saint Germain have also lodged an offer.
And it is PSG who have emerged as favourites to land his signature, despite the attention of the two European giants.
Lens president Gervais Martel confirmed that interested clubs will soon find out Varane's future.
"Given the clubs involved, it would be very hard to stop him [from moving," Martel told La Voix du Nord.
"I hope this will be finalised in the next 48 hours - I have just spent four hours on the phone, and there are many things to settle."
Antonio Valencia has been named in Ecuador's 2011 Copa America squad.
The competition begins in Argentina on 1 July, and Valencia is the star name in coach Reinaldo Rueda's 23-man party.
Ecuador, who have never won the Copa America, have been handed a tough draw, alongside Brazil, Paraguay and Venezuela in Group B.
Valencia and his compatriots open their tournament against Paraguay on 3 July, then meet Venezuela on 9 July before rounding off the group stage against Brazil on 13 July.
The top two teams from three groups, plus the two third-placed finishers with the highest points total all advance into the quarter-final stage.
Anders Lindegaard can’t wait to rejoin his team-mates for Manchester United’s pre-season tour to the USA.
The Reds will jet off on 11 July for a three-week stint, taking in games in Boston, Seattle, Chicago, New Jersey and Washington DC as part of Tour 2011. And Lindegaard, who only signed for the Reds in January so hasn’t been involved in a United tour yet, jokes he may not return.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” he told ManUtd.com. “New York City is the coolest city I’ve visited in my life and I can’t wait to get back there. I spent a week there and I could have spent a lifetime. They have something like 20,000 restaurants… that fact alone blows my mind!”
Of course, there’ll be much more to Anders’ American visit than sightseeing. He’s well aware of the importance of pre-season training and, he says, the opportunity the tour will give him to stake a claim for the no.1 shirt.
“In the USA it’s going to be especially important for the goalkeepers to play well because Edwin’s retired and the rest of us are fighting for that jersey.
“I know it’s going to be a lot of hard work but I’m looking forward to it very much. I’ve been to Florida twice for training camps with other sides but we didn’t play many games in America – certainly not big ones in sell-out stadiums. That’s going to be a great experience.
“Also, I know we’ll do a lot of promotional work in America as well and we’ll get to meet the fans. That’s only natural because we’re the biggest club in the world and America is a huge market. That side of the game – the marketing and the business – is interesting too, and I’m looking forward to seeing how that all works.”
So far, Anders says, life at Manchester United has been very enjoyable, albeit a little different to what he was used to at Norwegian side Aalesund.
“When you come from a small side in Norway you can’t prepare yourself for how big Manchester United is. But on the other hand it has the same mechanisms as any other club – people talk about the same things, they interact in the same way. There’s nothing different in that respect – it’s just that this club is a million times bigger.
“I’m enjoying my time in Manchester very much – more and more with each day that passes, actually. I’m a happy human being at the moment and that’s what life is all about.”
Council bosses have admitted scoring an "own goal" after a fence was built through the middle of football goalposts in a park in York.
The new fencing was installed at a cost of £6,000 on playing fields in Heworth.
It was erected before £37,000 worth of new play equipment is phased in at the park over the next few weeks.
Dave Meigh, City of York Council's head of parks and open spaces, said: "We recognise that the failure to relocate the goalposts is a real own goal."
'Too many chiefs'
It has left local people who use the park to play football confused.
Mr Meigh said the council had asked the contractors to "resolve the issue as a matter of urgency and can only apologise for the error".
Local residents said it was "unreal" and a "waste of money".
Jane Hannon wrote on the BBC Look North Facebook page: "Typical example of too many chiefs and not enough Indians, one doesn't know what the other is doing. What a waste of time and money."
The new play area will be for children aged eight to 13.
It includes an aerial runway, a mega-basket swing, outdoor fitness equipment, a jungle climber and web traverse/balance equipment.
Video: Why are United spending £16m on Ashley Young when they already have Valencia and Nani? Step this way...
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Ashley Young has completed his Manchester United medical ahead of his £16million move from Aston Villa. But what will Fergie be getting for his money?
Here, MirrorFootball's Jon Sutton takes a look at some of the England winger's finest moments so far...
Young began his career at Watford. His goals for the Hornets included this one against QPR as the men from Vicarage Road marched towards promotion in April 2006 (check out the shocking Hoops miss just before!).
After promotion, Young showed he could hack it in the top flight, too. Here's a last-minute strike that salvaged a point in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Fulham in October 2006.
By now a Villa player, Young produced one of the moments of the 2008-2009 season when he slotted this 94th-minute winner against Everton.
It's not all snorting goals, though. Here, Young inadvertently plays a prank on Villa team-mate Gabby Agbonlahor. Made you look!
Nothing wins over a set of fans like turning it on against your arch-rivals. In this clip, Young weaves through to score an amazing solo goal to put Villa up 4-0 in a 2008 derby match with Birmingham they eventually won 5-1.
Young made his England debut in November 2007 but had to wait until February of this year to score his first senior international goal, in the 2-1 win over Denmark.
He was at it again at Wembley last Saturday, coming off the bench to net this cracker in the 2-2 draw with Switzerland that kept England on track for next summer's European Championship finals.
Young won the PFA Young Player of the Year award for 2008-09. Here's a compilation of skills, tricks and goals to show why he needed to pop out for a tin of Brasso...
Fascinating fact: Stick a microphone under Ashley's nose and he turns into David Beckham. Fire up the Y'Know-O-Meter!
And finally, here's a compilation of ALL Young's goals and assists from the 2010-11 season.
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Manchester United striker Michael Owen has welcomed the anticipated arrival of winger Ashley Young from Aston Villa.
As revealed by skysports.com on Wednesday evening, the England international has undergone a medical with the Premier League champions.
And Young is expected to put pen to paper on a five-year contract at Old Trafford in the coming days for a reported fee of £15million.
Owen wrote on his Twitter page: "I see Ashley Young has undergone a medical today. Let's hope everything goes well as he would be a great signing for us."
No intention
The 25-year-old has just a year left on his contract at Villa Park and made it clear to the club he had no intention of extending that deal.
United have already signed Blackburn's England Under-21 defender Phil Jones for £16.5million and are likely to strengthen further with Atletico Madrid goalkeeper David de Gea the likely replacement for the retired Edwin van der Sar.
Young, like Jones, was also a target for Liverpool but United boss Sir Alex Ferguson appears to have once again beaten Kenny Dalglish to the player's signature.
Young made his league debut as a Watford player at the age of 18 and went on flourish under the management of Aidy Boothroyd, before joining Villa for £9.75m.
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Dimitar Berbatov's agent expects to know where the striker's future lies after crunch talks with Manchester United.
The Bulgarian's future is in doubt after he was omitted from the Red Devils' squad for their UEFA Champions League final defeat to Barcelona in May.
Berbatov scored 22 goals in all competitions for his club last season but, despite that return, did not feature regularly towards the end of the campaign.
Recent reports have suggested the 30-year-old could leave this summer, with French club PSG mentioned as suitors, but Berbatov's representative insists he wishes to stay at Old Trafford.
Emil Danchev said in the Daily Mirror. "We'll know more after we have talks with United, but Berbatov wants to stay and to keep winning trophies."
Berbatov joined United from Tottenham in 2008 and has since scored 42 league goals in 96 appearances for Sir Alex Ferguson's side.
Ashley Young has admitted that the chance to join champions Manchester United was too good to turn down.
The 25-year-old was signed up to a five-year deal on Thursday for a reported £16million fee.
The midfielder revealed that the opportunity to challenge for the club's 20th league title and to ply his trade for a team like United was the realisation of a boyhood dream.
Speaking after putting pen to paper on the biggest move of his career, former Aston Villa star Young admitted he was excited at becoming part of the club's rich history.
"The opportunity to come and play for one of the biggest clubs in the world is one I couldn't turn down," he told MUTV.
"It's a chance to hopefully become part of their history by helping to win the 20th title.
"It's a prospect I always looked at from being a child; to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world.
"I've got that opportunity now so I've just got to take it with two hands."
Check out the key dates in the career of new Manchester United signing Ashley Young.
1985: July 9 - Born in Stevenage.
2000: Joins Watford as a youth player.
2002: Offered professional terms at Vicarage Road.
2003: September 13 - Makes Hornets debut, scoring as second-half substitute against Millwall. Young also scored in his next game against Derby, again as a replacement.
2005: August 9 - Scores first brace for Watford against Plymouth in the second game of the season after failing to find the net in the 2004/05 season.
2006: Jan 1 - Handed first senior red card against Luton. February - Called up to England Under-21 Football League squad by boss Peter Taylor. May 6 - Scores in the Coca-Cola Championship play-off semi-final against Crystal Palace, before playing 90 minutes in the 3-0 final victory over Leeds. September: Called up to full England Under-21 squad, scoring in his first appearance against Switzerland. October 2 - Scores first Barclays Premier League goals, hitting the target twice in Watford's 3-3 draw with Fulham.
2007: January 18 - Given permission to speak to Aston Villa about a possible transfer after the clubs agree a fee of which could rise to £9.65million. West Ham had earlier had a similar offer accepted but Young turned down the move. Jan 20 - Young agrees to move to Villa Park. January 31 - Scores against Newcastle on Villa debut. June - Part of the England Under-21 squad for the European Championship in Holland, scores twice in a dramatic penalty shootout as England eventually lose 13-12 to the hosts in the semi-finals. August 31 - Included in England squad for matches against Russia and Israel. November 16 - Makes his England debut as a half-time replacement in a friendly against Austria.
2008: May - Is the only player outfield player outside the 'Big Four' to be selected in the Premier League team of the year. December 7 - Scores two goals in Villa's 3-2 win over Everton and is hailed as "world class" and a "genius" by manager Martin O'Neill. Wins the player of the month award to make him the first player to win three in a year.
2009: April - Named PFA Young Player of the Year. July 26 - Says he wants to remain at Villa despite attracting attention from the likes of Manchester United, Barcelona and Chelsea. August 12 - Makes his first England start in the 2-2 draw with Holland in Amsterdam.
2010: May 11 - Fails to make Fabio Capello's preliminary squad for the World Cup in South Africa. October 12 - Makes first competitive start for England in 0-0 draw with Montenegro at Wembley. October 22 - Tells Aston Villa he will not sign a new deal before the summer.
2011: May 13 - Says he wants to win trophies as speculation continues to link him with a move away from Villa Park. June 23 - Signs five-year deal with Manchester United after the Old Trafford club agreed an undisclosed fee with Villa.
Young's interview can be summarised by 2 words... "You know"
QUOTE(mhyug @ Jun 24 2011, 03:18 PM)
young, nani, valencia all can switch position equally well and perform well
I dont think we tried too often with Antonio on the left?
Some feedbacks on Ashley after he joined us.....
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United and England team-mate Rio Ferdinand was one of the first to respond to the arrival of Young at Old Trafford.
"Welcoming Ashley Young to Manchester United - another top, hungry and young player joins the ranks," he stated on his Twitter page.
Wayne Rooney welcomed the winger and believes he will soon be helping to create plenty of goals at Old Trafford.
He said on Twitter: "Nice to see Ash Young sign today. Great player. Looking forward to some assists off him."
And fellow striker Michael Owen added on Twitter: "Great to hear the Ashley Young deal has been finalised. Great addition to the squad."
Aidy Boothroyd, Young's former manager at Watford, said the winger would benefit from the prospect of playing for Ferguson's team.
"He is a wiry little thing and he hasn't grown very much since he left Watford," Boothroyd told BBC Sport.
"He is very talented and was always willing to practice certain aspects of his game. He is a brilliant team player and so athletically gifted. Even when he wasn't having a great game, he was capable of changing a game with a goal or creating one for a team-mate.
"The move to Old Trafford will do him the world of good. It is a move that will stretch him again, but he has the character to handle the next stage."
Peter Taylor, who gave Young his England Under-21 debut, said that midfielder would prove to be an invaluable asset for United.
"He will offer United real attacking adaptability and options," added the former England coach.
"Ashley showed last season he can play in a couple of positions, he is tremendous at set-pieces and scores and creates goals. He provides an end product and he will get plenty of opportunities to do that at Old Trafford."
Meanwhile, BBC Match of the Day analyst Mark Lawrenson also thinks Young and United will suit each other perfectly.
"He is playing for a manager in Ferguson who loves wide players and who loves to throw people forward so he should be right at home," Lawrenson told BBC Sport. "Young also had a great record of assists at Villa and you can be sure he will have more at United because he will have so much more of the ball."
Ashley Young will flourish at Manchester United - Lawrenson
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Manchester United's signing of Ashley Young is the perfect deal for both the club and the player.
We've all been waiting for Young to kick on and become the really outstanding player we think he can be and Manchester United is just ideal for him, he couldn't have a better stage.
He is playing for a manager in Sir Alex Ferguson who loves wide players and who loves to throw people forward, so he should be right at home.
Young had a great record of assists at Aston Villa and you can be sure he will have more, and score more goals, at United because he will have so much more of the ball.
United will be delighted with the business they have done to get Young. I think the fee of about £17m represents an absolute bargain, governed of course by the fact that his contract was running down and he was not going to stay at Villa Park.
Liverpool were obviously very interested and will be disappointed to miss out and I am surprised Chelsea were not more heavily involved because there is a real dearth of the sort of attackers who provide the sort of potent options Young offers. They are rarely available, especially at the price United have paid.
It is a great move for United because it allows Ferguson to put another Englishman in the dressing room after signing Phil Jones from Blackburn, and Young is a player who knows the Premier League, knows what it is all about and will have no worries about settling in to his new environment.
He will also give some real hurry-up to people like Nani and Antonio Valencia. They might just be wondering 'what have I done wrong?' and come back really flying and fired up for pre-season to prove to Ferguson that they should be in the starting line-up.
Ferguson has got some absolutely outstanding players in that squad now and the addition of Young means he can almost field two separate teams once he has completed a deal for a new goalkeeper after Edwin van der Sar's retirement.
Young can play on both the left and right side and also off the centre forward and in England's last few games, when Fabio Capello has played him, you could arguably say he has been their best player.
Now he is at a club where he doesn't have to be the best player every week and it is a simple fact that if you are playing with a top team and top players you must improve.
If United can get an extra 20% out of Ashley Young they will have a top, top player and they will have done it at a very reasonable price in today's market place. He appears to represent real value for money.
Everyone has recognised for a long time that Young was a good player but everyone also said he would have to leave Aston Villa to become a better one. He is not yet at his peak, has the time and the platform to improve and his arrival will make United some proposition in attack.
Ferguson already has Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez, as well as Nani and Valencia, throw Young in and teams will not know who to pick up.
As I said, he will be playing for a manager who understands what makes this type of player tick and will play in a style that will allow him to flourish. It is also another clear sign that Ferguson is really serious about adding strength to his Old Trafford squad after winning that record 19th title but losing to Barcelona in the Champions League final.
Erm for the BPL trophy, the whole MUFC team coming to malaysia? Must go event!!!!
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Reds' Asia Trophy Tour
Manchester United have begun a 12-day tour of Asia with the Barclays Premier League trophy.
Ji-sung Park and other United players past and present will accompany the trophy for part of its travels around Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.
United have been visiting and playing in Asia since 1974 and last took the Premier League trophy around the Far East in June 2008.
More than half of the club's estimated 333 million fanbase live in Asia and the club's visit will give them a rare, up-close glimpse of the trophy and some of the first-team stars.
The Trophy Tour is being supported by club partners Nike, Audi, Turkish Airlines, Hutchison 3, Danamon Bank, Singha, TM, PCCW and MUFB.
United's commercial director Richard Arnold said: "We know from the huge response from the Asian-based supporters in our 16 million Facebook followers and our commercial partners in the area just how much our Asian fans celebrated the historic 19th title win, so we wanted to make sure they could be part of that history by taking the trophy to them.
"Some of the players have taken time out of their summer holidays to say a big thank-you to those supporters and it promises to be a lot of fun."
Manchester United will not be offloading Nani following Ashley Young's £17million arrival at Old Trafford.
With Young signing a five-year contract with United on Friday, it has been suggested Nani's time at the club is coming to an end.
Although the Portugal winger claimed more assists than anyone else in the Premier League last term, and was named United's players' player of the year, the return of Antonio Valencia from injury in March reduced his involvement.
Nani then failed to make Sir Alex Ferguson's starting line-up for last month's Champions League final defeat to Barcelona, leading to fresh speculation about his future.
If he indicated a desire to leave United in the wake of Young's arrival from Aston Villa, there would be huge interest across Europe.
However, whilst the 24-year-old's thoughts on the situation have not been aired, it is now understood United's stance to be of a club currently building a squad, a process that does not involve allowing what they regard as key men to leave.
There will be casualties, and it is hard to see Sunderland targets Darron Gibson and Wes Brown remaining beyond the end of August.
When his squad returns to training at the start of next month though, Sir Alex Ferguson will be assuring Nani of his position in the Scot's plans for the future, and attempt to meet the challenge Barcelona set with their devastating performance at Wembley.
Certainly, Ferguson has been the most active of the big-name managers so far this summer and his spending will go beyond £50million once the deal for Atletico Madrid keeper David de Gea is completed.
De Gea will be part of the Spain side that attempts to secure the European Under-21 Championships by beating Switzerland on Saturday evening, after which it is expected the remaining loose ends of his transfer will be tied up.
Sorry to ask alien bro. MVP is best player of the tournament right?
TQ.
Chicharito lifts Gold Cup
QUOTE
Javier Hernandez's fairytale season ended on a soaring high, as the United striker and his Mexico team-mates came from behind to beat host nation United States in the Gold Cup final.
Chicharito secured the golden boot and player of the tournament awards for his outstanding exertions in taking El Tri to the final, but he had to settle for the role of provider as his side roared back from two goals down to post a stunning 4-2 victory.
After the United striker had poked against the post in the second minute, the US stormed ahead as Michael Bradley and Landon Donovan struck inside the first 25 minutes. Crucially, Mexico soon hit back when Chicharito fed West Ham winger Pablo Barrera to halve the arrears, and Andres Guardado popped up to level matters before the interval.
El Tri were ahead soon after the break as Barrera struck again, before Giovani dos Santos completed the comeback with a superbly composed finish. Chicharito was unable to nab his customary goal - though he was incorrectly flagged offside as he bore down on goal late on - but the United striker cared not a jot.
His work had already been done in hauling Mexico to the final with his seven-goal haul, and the 23-year-old was quick to hail his side's collective resolve after the final whistle. "Things were difficult but the coach told us to fight every single play," he said. "Our attitude is in our hands."
Manchester United's golden boy Javier Hernandez can now put his feet up
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Manchester United are sending Javier Hernandez on a month-long break to avoid burn-out after his marathon campaign finally ended on Saturday night with another winner’s medal.
The Reds striker was instrumental for Mexico as they overturned the USA’s lead in Pasadena to win the Gold Cup final 4-2.
Twelve months ago today Old Trafford’s new £8m recruit was ending his World Cup with the Mexicans in South Africa.
They were beaten in Johannesburg in the last 16 against Argentina with Chicharito scoring in the 3-1 defeat.
He had a break before joining up with United on their 2010 US tour but since then it has been non-stop with 45 appearances for United in his debut term and 20 goals, plus internationals throughout the season for Mexico.
But he was delighted with the conclusion in Pasadena.
“We were consistent and we fought for the entire 90 minutes,” said Hernandez. “We were two down and that’s usually very difficult but thanks to God for this team, we found a way. It was great. I was happy because we won it.”
He won the tournament’s Golden Boot with seven goals as well as the Most Valuable Player of the Tournament award.
Hernandez will now have his well-earned break before joining up late again on this summer’s American tour with the Reds.
United are keen not to tire the sensation of the season but his off-field work at United’s Carrington training HQ has prepared him physically for the marathon job.
“I work really hard in Manchester,” Hernandez said. “I get up at 8am, I eat breakfast and I go to the training session where I work so hard and I do extra work in the gym. I was educated by my parents in that way.
“If you want something in your life, you have to work hard. I know football is a job, but I am enjoying it so much.”
He has bulked up in the last 12 months on Sir Alex Ferguson’s instructions.
United fitness coach Tony Strudwick and sports scientist Gary Walker worked closely to design a workout schedule, resulting in Hernandez adding several pounds of muscle.
His diet has also been tailored by United’s backroom staff to ensure he gets the right fuel.
On arrival, the striker was asked to compile a list of his favorite Mexican dishes, which were then adapted by club chefs to incorporate more nutrients and reduce fats.
Well, its about time for our midfielders to start scoring goals more regularly and I mean the likes of Ando/Fletcher/Carrick. They have to start chipping a few more goals consistently to share the goal scoring burdens. Yes, they have scored a few here and there but its good to get a bit of consistency in there. I am not saying they have to score 15-20 every season, it won't happen since they are not well known prolific scorers anyway. But consistently score 3 to 5 [or more?] per season will not be a bad thing.
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Last season's stats. Apart from Nani, only Park managed to score 5 or more in the league.
We all know Wazza will has his "off period" where he will not score for a few games before getting his usual scoring run started. So its those "off period" we need someone to chip in the goals. Cant always rely on Hernandez & Berbatov
I guess Young will chip in a few goals from midfield so another option for us
This post has been edited by alien2003: Jun 27 2011, 07:25 PM
And we all know Carrick is not a rough tackling DM nor he is a CM. He is a DM that reads the game. And I don't really know why his confidence is so low. Because when it is THAT high, we all know what is he capable of.
Fletcher was also injured for most of the season.
I don't know about you guys but our goals have always been coming from wingers or strikers. CMs will contribute now and then but not that consistent. And the way we play is not the same as we used to. Plus, most teams know how to play us these days.
About Carrick, he has a decent shot in him as well (eg: his goal against Roma in the 7-1 win) but he sometimes opted to pass when he could had taken a shot himself
Considered one (Nasri) has 1 year left in the contract while another one (Cesc) has 4 [I think], its not really a tough choice to make. Wenger can still insist/refused to sell Cesc unless Cesc force a move but for Nasri, Wenger cant really do much but to sell if Nasri refused to extend his contract and do a Flamini (run down the contract and transfer for free).
Manchester United striker Federico Macheda has confirmed he wants to stay in the Premier League following last season's loan spell at Sampdoria.
The Italian striker was allowed to return to his homeland for the second half of last term in order to build up his first-team experience.
However, he was unable to prevent Sampdoria from suffering relegation from Serie A and he is now due to return to Old Trafford.
Macheda, who has scored four goals in 27 appearances for United, acknowledged it was difficult at Sampdoria and he feels he will be better suited by staying in England.
"Psychologically it was not easy because to go from United to Sampdoria and to fight to avoid the drop was a difficult situation," Macheda said to Sky Italia.
"I wanted to have an experience in Italy but now I want to remain in the Premier League.
"England is better suited for young players."
The 19-year-old, who is under contract with United until June 2013, failed to score in 14 Serie A appearances for Sampdoria.
"I arrived in Genoa with great enthusiasm," Macheda added. "The first few games the team and I did very well but after the defeat to Napoli, I did not find continuity."
David De Gea set to sign a five-year Manchester United deal
QUOTE
David de Gea will be hoping to keep plenty of clean sheets when he signs for United in a £20m deal.
But yesterday it was Reds security staff’s turn as they attempted – but failed miserably – to hide the Spanish Under-21 star under a white blanket as he arrived in Manchester for a medical.
The Atletico Madrid goalkeeper is set to send Sir Alex Ferguson’s summer spending soaring past the £50m mark.
De Gea had part of his medical at a private hospital in Manchester yesterday and was at the Reds’ Carrington training HQ and Old Trafford today tying up the deal.
The 20-year-old, who won the European Under- 21 Championships with Spain at the weekend, flew straight from his triumph in Denmark to seal a move to the Premier League champions.
He is expected to sign a five-year contract but official confirmation might have to wait until Friday when De Gea’s new agent takes charge of his affairs.
The long search for Edwin Van der Sar’s successor is over with the young Atletico number one rising to the top of Fergie’s wanted list after he considered the likes of Schalke’s Manuel Neuer and Ajax’s Maarten Stekelenburg.
After a summer holiday, he will miss the start of United’s pre-season training next week but could join up with his new Reds colleagues on the club’s tour of America in mid-July.
De Gea becomes Fergie’s third capture of the close season, joining Ashley Young and Phil Jones as new arrivals to the first team squad.
The total of over £50m is United’s biggest ever summer cash outlay.
It surpasses the incoming activity in 2007 when they brought in Nani, Anderson and Owen Hargreaves for £44m and also added Carlos Tevez on a two-season loan.
United have been the quickest and busiest club in the transfer market this summer.
Now Reds fans are waiting to see if United will go for the big one and pursue the midfield playmaker to complete the rebuilding jigsaw.
Inter Milan’s Wesley Sneijder remains the man the United support want to fill the Paul Scholes void but Arsenal’s Samir Nasri is still very much on the champions’ radar.
Sneijder’s arrival would push the spending past the £80m received for Cristiano Ronaldo two years ago and the Dutchman could command a salary of £200,000 a week.
Arsenal’s Frenchman would come cheaper in wages and the transfer fee.
Jun 19 2011, 11:25 AM
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