DHL, the world’s leading express and logistics company, has become the first official training kit sponsor of Manchester United in a ground-breaking deal for English football.

The new four-year-agreement sees the DHL logo included on the Club's training kit worn by all first, reserve and youth team players during domestic competitions and builds on DHL’s relationship behind the scenes at the club.

DHL has been the Club's Official Logistics Partner for a year and played a key role supporting United’s pre-season tour of the United States, and will continue to work hard to help deliver success on and off the pitch.

To mark the extended partnership, and as part of United's celebrations of its record-breaking 19th top-flight championship win last season, the logistics company will be delivering the Club's gift to its fans attending Monday evening's match against Tottenham Hotspur - a specially-commissioned commemorative scarf for each United supporter.

Announcing the new deal, Manchester United’s Chief Executive, David Gill, said: “This deal breaks new ground in the English game. We are delighted that DHL has chosen to pioneer training kit sponsorship with the Club. Their global presence and international standing are a perfect fit for the world’s most popular football club.”

Commercial Director Richard Arnold said: “This is a deal that continues to demonstrate the Club’s position as the most innovative and successful in the game. DHL have been a great partner to work with and have integrated with the Club’s operations seamlessly. The work they did around this summer’s US tour was striking and we are looking forward to developing a broader relationship in the future.”

John Pearson, CEO DHL Express (Europe), said: “This strategic partnership will see DHL getting more involved in the behind the scenes operations of Manchester United and supporting the club in its continued success.

“Building on our current relationship with the world’s biggest football club reflects our ability to provide unparalleled logistics services for customers across the globe.”

It may seem like yesterday that he arrived as fresh-faced unknown from Sporting Lisbon, but Nani has now started his fifth season at Old Trafford. Revelling in the responsibility of being an established attacking weapon, the Portuguese trickster wants to keep terrorising defenders....

How excited are you about the new season?
We’re all very excited. It’s a good chance to improve and do more – much more - than last season. For me, last season was fantastic and this is a big chance to show I can do much more, that I’m a good player with a very strong mentality. I always work hard to be successful and I like to help my team so we can win titles as well.

Was last year your best campaign to date?
Yeah. It was my best year and I played more games as well. It was definitely my most consistent season. This year, I will do my best. If I am fit for every game, I am 100 percent sure I will do my best for my team.

How important was it for you to win last year’s players’ player of the season?
It was very important for me inside the dressing room, with my team-mates. It showed me that now everyone knows my position inside, on the team and how important they think I am in the team. It shows how much responsibility I have for the team and the club as well, and that’s making me more confident, making me happier, making me want more responsibility. Now I’m in the right position to do everything I wanted in the past.

There’s a buzz in the crowd whenever you get the ball now – does that also give you a big confidence boost?
Yeah. I think, for the players I play against, it’s always the same. In my first season, maybe two or three players didn’t know me. Then they see me play and see skills and goals, and then in the next seasons they started to be more careful with me because they know what I can do. Now it’s always the same. As soon as I get the ball, two players [are on me] *slaps hands* and then I have to be clever and run away from them! I like it. I like to be a player who makes others scared. When I have the ball I like to feel the confidence to go and do my skills and dribble at defenders.

What do you think of the new signings?
I think they are very important signings for us. You need the competition. Ashley [Young] has been doing very well in his early games, [David] De Gea and [Phil] Jones too. They have this opportunity, but they have time as well to get into the team, learn things around the club like our mentality. It’s very different here at United to where they come from. It was like that for me as well. When I first came I had to have time to get used to playing at this big club.

In terms of the new lads bedding in, how good a team-bonding exercise was the US Tour?
It was fantastic. We had time enough to start to know each other, for the new players to get involved with us. We are a big team who knows each other, everyone is happy with everyone – that’s the big thing we have at this club; that everybody fights together.

How much of a bearing will our tough early-season fixture list have on the season?
I think it will be very important, because if you win most of these games you feel more confident, and easier games come afterwards. It’s all about the most important games because whoever loses less points in those games will have the conditions to win.

Who do the players see as our biggest rivals for the title?
It will be the same. City, Chelsea, Arsenal. It’s always the same. Chelsea are always very experienced and strong. City will make the step up because they have good players. The league will always be decided in the last games. It’s always that way. The teams who can stay strongest in the last games will fight for the title.

What’s the ultimate aim for the team this season?
I think this year we will try to win more trophies than last season. Last year, we did well but we just won the league. We will try to win more. We are proud to be champions, but we want to win even more this season.

United have loaned midfielder Oliver Norwood to Scunthorpe until January.

The Northern Ireland international could make his debut in the glamour Carling Cup tie against Newcastle on Thursday night in front of the Sky Sports cameras.

After agreeing to the switch, the 20-year-old will wear number 14 at his new club.

It is a second loan move for Norwood, who has impressed at Reserves level with his pinpoint passing, following time spent at Carlisle last term.

Manchester United and Barnsley have reached an agreement for Reds midfielder Danny Drinkwater to join the Tykes on loan until 2 January.

Drinkwater enjoyed an impressive pre-season campaign with the Reserves and admitted he was keen to prove his worth at Championship level after the recent second-string match with Arsenal.

Following previous spells with Huddersfield, Cardiff and Watford, the 21-year-old is Keith Hill's 10th signing for the new season.

"Drinkwater is a few years ahead of the younger lads in his development," Reserves boss Warren Joyce told ManUtd.com. "He's had two or three loan spells. Two have been successful but there's one that's not been due to injuries hampering his loan appearances.

"But he has developed and is a lot physically stronger. He's done a lot more things than the youth team boys and that's why we're getting him out on loan again."

Darron Gibson's proposed departure from Manchester United has been placed in doubt after he damaged ankle ligaments in training, an injury that could sideline him for at least four weeks.

Gibson, linked with Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers, was taken to hospital on Thursday and a protective cast has been placed on his right foot while he waits for the swelling to go down so an x-ray can ascertain the seriousness of the injury.

The 23-year-old midfielder has been told he no longer forms part of Sir Alex Ferguson's plans and is looking for a new club after talks with Sunderland collapsed earlier in the summer. The Republic of Ireland international was not taken on United's pre-season tour of the United States and has been omitted from Ferguson's first-team squad so far this season.

United will continue trying to take him off their wage bill before the transfer window closes next week but Gibson's injury has raised concerns within the club that potential buyers may be put off.

October 2011
01 Oct  Barclays Premier League  Norwich City  H  15:00 
15 Oct  Barclays Premier League  Liverpool          A  12:45 
18 Oct  UEFA Champions League  Otelul Galati  A  19:45
23 Oct  Barclays Premier League  Man City          H  13:30 
29 Oct  Barclays Premier League  Everton          A  12:00

Check out Manchester United's Group C fixtures and opponents in the Champions League.

Fixtures

Wednesday September 14: Benfica v United
Tuesday September 27: United v Basel
Tuesday October 18: Otelul Galati v United
Wednesday November 2 United v Otelul Galati
Tuesday November 22: United v Benfica
Wednesday December 7: Basel v United

Opposition

Benfica

Strengths: According to Co Adriaanse, coach of Benfica's qualifying round opponents, FC Twente, United's opponents are “an excellent side with an excellent goalkeeper, a very solid defence, a creative midfield and in Oscar Cardozo they have an excellent striker.” Intimidating atmosphere awaits in the Estadio da Luz.

Weaknesses: Not the European powerhouse they once were and vulnerable on their travels. Tempers can fray when things go against them.

Key opponent: Axel Witsel, a summer signing from Standard Liege, scored twice as last season’s Portuguese League runners-up beat FC Twente to qualify for the knockout stages.

Previous meetings: Two of United’s finest nights came against Benfica in the European Cup days. George Best inspired the Reds to a 5-1 victory in Lisbon in 1966 while Best was among the scorers in the 1968 final at Wembley. Not so memorable was a 2-1 defeat in Portugal in 2006 that ensured United failed to qualify from the group stages for the first time since 1995.

Did you know: Benfica defeated Arsenal 2-1 earlier this month to lift the Eusebio Cup, named in honour of the club’s most famous player.

How to get there: Fly to Faro and then it’s about a three-hour drive to the capital and the Stadium of Light.

Basel

Strengths: An excellent team spirit as demonstrated by their signings of North and South Korean internationals, teenage forward, Pak Kwang Ryong from DPR, and Park Joo-ho from the south. Reds can expect hostile crowd at St Jakob-Park.

Weaknesses: Basel have lost their Ivory Coast midfielder, Gilles Yai, until the New Year with a cruciate knee ligament injury. Another key performer, Valentin Stocker, is also sidelined for the group stages.

Key opponent: Alexander Frei, now a veteran but former captain of Swiss National team and the country's all-time leading scorer. Previously at Borussia Dortmund. Spat at Steven Gerrard during the 2004 European Championships.

Previous meetings: First meeting since March 2003 when Gary Neville's goal clinched a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford. Ruud Van Nistelrooy (2) and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored in a 3-1 win in Switzerland.

Did you know: FC Basel President Gisela Oeri, popularly known as Gigi, is one of the few female Club Presidents in European football. A philanthropist who invested millions of Swiss francs since joining the board of directors in 1999, is stepping down for health reasons in December.

How to get there: Regular flights from Manchester to Basel; European trains make journey relatively straightforward. About an 800 miles drive.

Otelul Galati

Strengths: Dependant on home grown talent due to lack of cash which has engendered fierce local pride in the team. 15 of their side that won the Rumanian league for the first time last season came through the ranks or joined the clubs as teenagers.

Weaknesses: Lack of European experience will count against them, especially on their away trips. Could well be star struck by matches ahead. Will do well to avoid bottom spot in the group.

Key opponent: Gabriel Paraschiv, Galati’s captain and former international midfielder. Been with the club since 2006 and his experience will be invaluable alongside Otelu's promising youngsters, including Cornel Rapa.

Previous meetings: None - United have never met Romanian opposition in the Champions League.

Did you know: Their home ground has no floodlights

How to get there: You will find Galati on the banks of the Danube in Eastern Romania. There is an airport but not for international flights. Plane to capital Bucharest followed by 150-mile train journey.

Leeds land Manchester United in Carling Cup third round

Manchester United will rekindle their rivalry with Leeds United with a trip to Elland Road in the third round of the Carling Cup.

Holders Birmingham City face a difficult start to the defence of their trophy with a visit to Manchester City.

There are four all-Premier League ties including a London derby at Stamford Bridge between Chelsea and Fulham.

Everton will face West Brom, Aston Villa are at home to Bolton and Stoke will host Spurs.

Leeds last met Manchester United in the third round of the FA Cup in January 2010, winning 1-0 at Old Trafford with a Jermaine Beckford goal.

Shrewsbury Town have a trip to the Emirates to face last season's beaten finalists Arsenal to look forward to while Liverpool face a difficult away tie at Brighton's new Amex Stadium.

And a team from the bottom two divisions is guaranteed a place in the last 16 with Aldershot or Carlisle at home to Rochdale.

The third-round ties will be played in the week beginning 19 September.

Carling Cup third round draw:

Cardiff City v Leicester City

Wolves v Millwall

Chelsea v Fulham

Aldershot Town or Carlisle United v Rochdale

Arsenal v Shrewsbury Town

Burnley v MK Dons

Leeds United v Manchester United

Brighton v Liverpool

Nottingham Forest v Newcastle United

Manchester City v Birmingham City

Blackburn Rovers v Leyton Orient or Bristol Rovers

Swindon Town or Southampton v Charlton or Preston North End

Everton v West Brom

Crystal Palace or Wigan v Middlesbrough

Aston Villa v Bolton Wanderers

Stoke City v Tottenham Hotspur

Looks like i am wrong for time being... But there is another half.. I still believe Spurs will get back into this match..

Wow, can anyone put the average age for both squad?

Man Utd one seems to be younger isn't it?

Man Utd vs Arsenal

Man Utd: De Gea (20), Smalling (21), Jones (19), Evans (23), Evra (30), Nani (24), Cleverley (22), Anderson (23), Young (26), Rooney (25), Welbeck (20) = 23

Subs: Lindegaard, Ferdinand, Berbatov, Giggs, Park, Hernandez, Fabio Da Silva

Arsenal: Szczesny (21), Jenkinson (19), Djourou (24), Koscielny (25), Traore (21), Ramsey (20), Coquelin (20), Rosicky (30), Walcott (22), van Persie (28), Arshavin (30) = 23.6

Subs: Fabianski, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Chamakh, Lansbury, Miquel, Ozyakup, Sunu

Referee: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire)

Wayne Rooney has set his sights on breaking Bobby Charlton's all-time club goalscoring record for Manchester United.

The England international moved into 10th spot as United's all-time leading scorer following his hat-trick in Sunday's 8-2 demolition job of Arsenal at Old Trafford.

The treble moved him ahead of Dutchman Ruud van Nistelrooy and now the former Everton man is targeting being the club's number one marksman.

Rooney now has 152 goals for the Red Devils and the 25-year-old is giving himself the coming years to surpass Charlton's impressive 249-goal mark for United.

"It is always a great feeling to score," he said. "Now I have over 150 goals for a club like United and hopefully there are many more to come.

"I am delighted with the way it is going. I worked hard in pre-season. I have started well and the team have started great.

"I was aware I was one off 150 before the game. I asked how many Bobby Charlton scored. Giggsy (Ryan Giggs) said I had another 100 to go. That is a target. Hopefully I will do it in the next few years."

Wenger still has aspirations to win titles and revisiting one of the great Premier League managerial rivalries - a fanciful notion after Manchester United became the first team to score eight goals against Arsenal since Loughborough in 1896.

WayneRooney Wayne Rooney
Great result for us yesterday. Pleased for jones cleverley and smalling being in England squad. I'll babysit them all week haha
5 hours ago