Thursday, July 26, 2012

Too sexy for his shirt: Fergie and United players do their little turn on the catwalk in China - picture special


Too sexy for his shirt: Fergie and United players do their little turn on the catwalk in China - picture special

Manchester United boss and players try out modelling for charity dinner and fashion show in Shanghai
Step aside Naomi Campbell: Sir Alex Ferguson takes to the catwalk
                    Step aside Naomi Campbell, Elle Macpherson and Twiggy; there's a new king of the catwalk in town.
Sir Alex Ferguson took to the runway in Shanghai during Manchester United's pre-season tour of China as part of charity dinner and fashion show event in aid of the Manchester United Foundation, organised by Swiss watch makers Hublot.
The 70-year-old Scot is more used to walking the technical area at the side of a football pitch but swapped the touchline for the catwalk and waved to to photographers at the event.
He was joined on stage by members of the United squad including new signing Shinji Kagawa, defender Rio Ferdinand and striker Javier Hernandez.
Check out the pics in our gallery:

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Moura the merrier: United have agreed £26m deal for Brazil superteen Lucas


Moura the merrier: United have agreed £26m deal for Brazil superteen Lucas

Fergie will get his man (boy) as 19-year-old Olympian dazzler's club Sao Paulo finally settle on massively upped price – now it's down to personal terms
Different class: Lucas of Brazil holds off Aaron Ramsey and Jack Cork of GB during the recent friendly

Manchester United have agreed a staggering £26 million deal with Sao Paulo for Brazil sensation Lucas Moura.
Boss Sir Alex Ferguson is being backed by the Glazers to land the 19-year-old wonder boy, who appeared as a sub against Team GB, and the move is now down to agreeing terms with his camp.
Ferguson’s negotiators have astonishingly doubled their valuation in the talks on Lucas, who has been a target for months as the Mirror first revealed in March.
Sao Paulo have accepted the sale price on Lucas, who is in England for the Olympics, and United are confident they can come to an agreement with his agents.
Face of the future: Fergie's got himself another young diamond in Lucas
Face of the future: Fergie's got himself another young diamond in Lucas
Getty
 
Lucas is looked after by his father and an agency and they want a big payment too, with United trying to agree those figures in a hurry.
Inter Milan and Chelsea also chased Lucas but backed off at the price tag. However Ferguson is determined to land a ‘worldie’ for his squad.
Amazingly Lucas would need a permit appeal to be allowed to play in England, but with the money involved the authorities are sure to be convinced he is in the ‘special talent’ category.
Rough stuff: Lucas has probably spent his career getting lumps kicked out – but how will he fare in the Prem?
Rough stuff: Lucas has probably spent his career getting lumps kicked out – but how will he fare in the Prem?
 
Lucas would ideally have a medical as soon as possible, but Brazil are favourites for the gold medal - and it would be disruptive for them at the moment.
He's a bit special....

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

United crank up Van Persie interest as Sir Alex admits Berbatov is off


United crank up Van Persie interest as Sir Alex admits Berbatov is off


    Manchester United will intensify efforts to prise Robin van Persie from Arsenal, after Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed he is willing to let Dimitar Berbatov go. 
    Wantaway Berbatov set up Federico Macheda for the only goal of United’s opening South Africa tour game against Amazulu. 
    Meanwhile, reports in Italy, claimed that United have had a bid for the Dutchman rejected by Arsenal.
    In and out: Dimitar Berbatov's Manchester United future looks increasingly uncertain, while Robin van Persie is wanted by Sir Alex Ferguson
    In and out: Dimitar Berbatov's Manchester United future looks increasingly uncertain, while Robin van Persie is wanted by Sir Alex Ferguson
    In and out: Dimitar Berbatov's Manchester United future looks increasingly uncertain, while Robin van Persie is wanted by Sir Alex Ferguson
     
    Van Persie is in danger of pricing himself out of a move to Juventus after the Turin giants switched their attention to Stevan Jovetic. 
    The Fiorentina forward could cost Juve £23million. Van Persie, 29 next month, has rejected Arsenal’s offer of £130,000 a week and Juve know they can secure Jovetic, 22, for £45,000 a week.
    Manchester City have been favourites to strike a deal for Van Persie.
    Ferguson’s only comment was on Berbatov’s desire to leave Old Trafford, possibly moving to Galatasaray for £5million or even returning to Tottenham.
    'I do not need to herald the abilities of Dimitar Berbatov, he is a fantastic talent,' said Ferguson. 'Last season he didn't quite get the amount of football he wants. At his age, it was difficult for him to accept his position in the forward line.
    Welcome: Shinji Kagawa made his debut for Manchester United...
    Welcome: Shinji Kagawa made his debut for Manchester United...
    ... as Federico Macheda scored the winner in a pre-season friendly in South Africa
    ... as Federico Macheda scored the winner in a pre-season friendly in South Africa
    'He had Rooney, Welbeck and Hernandez in front of him, and they are all young men. The boy has a future, but if he wants to leave it is a different matter.
    'I am easy about it if he stays. I would be happy with that. But if someone comes in and Dimitar wants to leave, we will assess it.'
    Berbatov released a statement on his Facebook site last week revealing his frustrations at a summer of speculation.
    Meet the locals: Sir Alex Ferguson had earlier met with children in Durban as part of his role as UNICEF ambassador
    Meet the locals: Sir Alex Ferguson had earlier met with children in Durban as part of his role as UNICEF ambassador
    It said: ‘I am tired of speculation,’ he said on his Facebook page.
    ‘I read the papers and I see they say £10million is my price. I go and talk with Sir Alex, and he says to me £5m. 
    ‘So who is telling the truth?  I love this club, but I’m not going to be useful to anyone if I am not playing.
    ‘I want to play, I want to help. But for unknown reasons it’s not going to happen or my chances will be limited, so it’s better for everyone if we say goodbye.
    ‘If not, I am professional and I will keep doing everything I can to help my team and my  team-mates, whenever I have the opportunity to do so.’
    Emil Dantchev, his agent, said on Tuesday: ‘Dimitar likes Serie A and would be happy to discuss a move [to AC Milan].’
    He only played 21 times for United last season as he was overlooked in favour of Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez as Wayne Rooney's strike partner.


    Monday, July 16, 2012

    You'll feel like The Beatles! Ferdinand prepares new signings for United's world tour


    You'll feel like The Beatles! Ferdinand prepares new signings for United's world tour


      Rio Ferdinand has told new signings Shinji Kagawa and Nick Powell that going on tour with Manchester United will make them feel 'like The Beatles'.

      Kagawa and Powell, who cost United a combined £16million from Borussia Dortmund and Crewe, are expected to make their first appearances for United on the current trip to South Africa and China.
      It kicks off with a game against AmaZulu FC in Durban on Wednesday, with Ferdinand captaining a United squad that flew into South Africa on Monday missing a number of top players involved in Euro 2012 and the Olympic Games.
      Mobbed: Javier Hernandez signs autographs after Man United touch down in Durban
      Mobbed: Javier Hernandez signs autographs after Man United touch down in Durban
       
      That is likely to give Kagawa and Powell an early chance to shine, and Ferdinand knows from experience how shocked they will be at United's popularity abroad.

      'When I signed it was just before a tour,' he said. 'You just think to yourself "how can it be this big on the other side of the planet?", but that's the club it is and it's great to be a part of that.

      'I remember talking to Nicky Butt about how big United are over in Malaysia. When we went anywhere, it was like The Beatles coming into town.

      'With United it's crazy in Asia. You can't leave the hotel in downtime or leisure time because there are just so many fans there. You'd be ushered back in or need security to go out.

      'It's so much easier when you live with people on tour, you get to understand them better. It's vital for a new signing, being on the training ground with the rest of the squad.
      'As a senior player, you have a responsibility to help the younger players. It's important how you conduct yourself around the hotel and how you apply yourself in training.
      New boys: Kagawa (above) and Powell (below, centre)
      New boys: Kagawa (above) and Powell (below, centre)
      New boys: Kagawa (above) and Powell (below, centre)
      'That's the biggest thing I noticed when I joined. The application of players and intensity of training was so much different to anywhere I'd been before.
      'We've signed Nick Powell, who's going to be a promising young player, and Shinji Kagawa, and it's going to be cool having him in the team.
      'He's trained with the lads and looks really sharp. I've seen him play a couple of times for Dortmund, and in the German Cup Final as well, and he's always impressed me.
      'He's got a fair understanding of the English language, which will make his life easier. He probably already speaks more English than Anderson, so he's doing well! 
      'Nick Powell scored a ridiculous goal in the play-off finals, so he looks a really good player as well.' 
      After Durban, United face Ajax Cape Town on Saturday before flying on to China where they play Shanghai Shenhua next week.
      Ferdinand added: 'It's important we don't lose a game in pre-season because we're playing for Manchester United. You can't pretend it doesn't mean anything. It doesn't work like that. At this club, each individual player wants to do well for himself and prove to the manager that he's capable.
      New era: Kagawa and Powell will hope to impress Ferguson on tour
      New era: Kagawa and Powell will hope to impress Ferguson on tour
      'The games in pre-season are where you find your match sharpness. You just want to get out there are play, even just putting on the new kit, simple things like that, how it looks and feels. It's good we're going to places like South Africa and China, where we have lots of fans. They can see the new signings as well.
      'It's nice to be back. When you see the fixtures you can start planning the season. You start working things out in your head; chomping at the bit to get back into it, then the games start coming thick and fast. The way the season ended, the sooner we get back into it the better.' 
      As United continue to be linked with Sao Paulo playmaker Lucas Moura and Everton defender Leighton Baines, Ferdinand admitted that the players are just as much in the dark as supporters over Sir Alex Ferguson's transfer plans.
      'We're excited by the new signings, just like fans,' he added. 'You walk down the street and people ask who we're signing but we want to know as well. I'm always asking the management about their plans.
      'The manager has got all the answers in his back pocket but he won't tell us. We're like fans in that respect and we just wait for the next person to come through the door.' 
      Meanwhile, United have retained their title as the world's most valuable sports team, according to an annual top 50 list published by Forbes.
      The club were valued at £1.42billion, well ahead of second-placed Real Madrid.


      Thursday, July 12, 2012

      Transfer activities 2012/2013

       AC Milan to buy Silva, Ibrahimovic from PSG, Carroll attracts attention
      Ibrahimovic is replaceable, according to AC Milan.
      Ibrahimovic is replaceable, according to AC Milan.
      A+A-

      BEIRUT: AC Milan have accepted an offer from PSG for Thiago Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with reports in Italy suggesting the French side will pay a combined fee of 51 million pounds ($78 million) for the pair.
      Reports in Italy say that Milan vice president Adriano Galliani accepted the offer for the players Wednesday having decided to cash in to remove a significant amount of the club’s debt.
      Plans to sell defender Thiago Silva to PSG were blocked by club owner Silvio Berlusconi, with the former Italian prime minister instead offering the Brazilian an extension to his deal with the Rossoneri.
      In an extraordinary move, however, Milan have decided to offload the two players said to earn a combined total of 15 million pounds a year.
      Over the weekend Thiago Silva had admitted to being relieved that the proposed move had fallen through, but is now expected to complete a transfer to the French capital.
      Swedish striker Ibrahimovic has previously expressed an interest in leaving for France, but Gazzetta dello Sport reports that the player is reluctant to leave Italy.
      PSG are hoping that the striker will eventually be tempted by the high wages on offer at the Qatar-backed club, and the player is scheduled to meet with his agent Friday.
      The 30-year-old has played for some of Europe’s most illustrious clubs in his career, winning domestic titles with Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan and Barcelona before joining Milan.
      The Serie A side accept that Thiago Silva is irreplaceable, but believe they will find a more than able replacement for Ibrahimovic.
      Moves for Manchester City’s Carlos Tevez and Edin Dzeko have been mooted, while the club are also expected to step up their interest in Liverpool’s England international Andy Carroll.
      Fulham are the latest club to enter the race to sign Carroll, with manager Martin Jol preparing to offer Clint Dempsey as part of the deal.
      Carroll is currently on holiday in Brazil after impressing with his performances for England at Euro 2012, with any answer on his future not expected to come until the player returns to the U.K.
      American forward Dempsey enjoyed a career-best 23-goal haul last season, but has made it clear he wants to join a bigger club. The Mirror suggests that the Craven Cottage side are prepared to exploit Liverpool’s long-standing interest in Dempsey in order to pries Carroll away from Anfield.
      While Carroll is thought to prefer remaining on Merseyside, Liverpool harbor doubts over whether the player will fit into their plans for next season.
      Barcelona are preparing to sell Ibrahim Afellay, with the Dutchman expected to head to the Premier League.
      Spanish daily El Mondo Deportive say that the Catalan club must sell the midfielder in order to finance moves for the club’s other transfer targets.
      Lille had a 5.5 million pound offer for the player accepted by the club but rebuffed by the 26-year-old.
      Arsenal’s chief scout Steve Rowley is a huge fan of the player and has reportedly recommended him to Gunners manager Arsene Wenger.
      Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is said to be keen on moving the player having missed out on Icelandic international Gylfi Sigurdsson, while new Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas could be tempted should Luka Modric complete a transfer to Real Madrid.
      Villas-Boas has admitted he would be interested in signing Portuguese international Joao Moutinho should Modric leave White Hart Lane.
      While Spurs are preparing for the eventuality of Modric’s departure, the Porto midfielder has also been gathering interest from Manchester United in recent weeks.
      Villas-Boas managed Moutinho during his successful spell with the Portuguese club, and is confident the player would be able to adapt to the Premier League.
      “He was one of the most important players at Euro 2012,” said Villas-Boas. “[Moutinho] had a fantastic tournament ... He was an important player for Porto in the two seasons in a row when they won the title.
      “Those sort of players will always be interesting to us. It doesn’t mean it’s the only target we’re looking at, but if something happened then of course we would look upon him with some interest.”
      Former Blackburn winger Junior Hoilett has opened talks with both Newcastle and QPR after a move to German side Borussia Monchengladbach fell through.
      Hoilett is a free agent after his contract at Ewood Park expired at the end of last season, and had been keen to move to the Bundesliga side on a four-year deal.
      After the move broke down, the winger, who can also play up front, is now desperate to secure his future before the new season starts in August.
      The 22-year-old scored seven times for the relegated club last season, contributing six assists.
      Former England manager Fabio Capello has emerged as the favorite to be appointed manager of Russia, after the country’s sports minister backed the Italian to succeed.
      “I think he would be a good option,” Vitaly Mutko said. “This person knows how to win ... When we decided on Guus Hiddink, the first thing we looked at was the coach’s ability to win.”


      Wednesday, July 11, 2012

      Welcome to Manchester! New boy Kagawa teaches Rio Japanese on his first day


      Welcome to Manchester! New boy Kagawa teaches Rio Japanese on his first day



      All smiles: Shinji Kagawa is given a police escort at Manchester Airport
      All smiles: Shinji Kagawa is given a police escort at Manchester Airport
      He's only been in Manchester for one day but United new boy Shinji Kagawa is already winning over the locals and his team-mates - including Rio Ferdinand.
      The £17million recruit from Borussia Dortmund needed a police escort upon his arrival at Manchester Airport as ardent Japanese fans and television crews awaited the Japan international.
      The 23-year-old appeared unfazed, however, and smiled throughout before heading to his first training session with his new team-mates hours later at the club's Carrington HQ.
      Defender Ferdinand revealed the club's summer signing has wasted no time in teaching him some new skills... the art of speaking Japanese.
      He told his legion of followers on social networking site Twitter: 'My 1st Japanese lesson, I should have referred to him as Kagawa Shinji, which is how he will be referred to on all Man United mags/progs etc.'
      Kagawa will get his first taste of action in a United shirt next week when Sir Alex Ferguson's side travel to South Africa as part of their pre-season preparations.
      And the midfielder told reporters in his native Osaka before landing in the North West that he is confident he will nail down a regular starting berth at Old Trafford.
      Waiting game: Kagawa was greeted by his native Japanese fans and television crews upon his arrival
      Waiting game: Kagawa was greeted by his native Japanese fans and television crews upon his arrival
      'It is a big challenge for me. I have nothing but a positive mind now,' he said
      'First, I want to display what I have at the training camp and prepare myself so that I can firmly gain a position in time for the opening game.'


      Monday, July 9, 2012

      United crank up £30m Moura bid as Brazil ace expresses doubt over Sao Paulo future


      United crank up £30m Moura bid as Brazil ace expresses doubt over Sao Paulo future 



      Manchester United are stepping up their £30million bid for Sao Paulo midfielder Lucas Moura amid competition from Inter Milan. 
      A United delegation is due to arrive in Brazil on Tuesday to open talks after the 19-year-old's father spoke to Inter on Friday.
      United want to tie up a deal ahead of the player joining Brazil's Olympic squad. 
      Interest: Moura (left) is interested in a move to Old Trafford
      Interest: Moura (left) is interested in a move to Old Trafford
       
      They were previously told by Lucas's father that he was destined for Real Madrid but they have switched to Luka Modric. 
      Chelsea had a bid of £32m rejected but they have now agreed a deal for Internacional's Oscar while Inter are ready to offer around £20m.
      Lucas said: 'I cannot guarantee that I will stay until the end of my contract,' he said.
      'Much has changed and the situation is not up to me any more.
      'I know my father and my agent had a meeting (with Inter) but I don't know what was said. Now I will go to the Olympics with my mind only on winning a gold medal.'
      Inter technical director Marco Branca and sporting director Piero Ausilio are believed to be the officials who held talks with Lucas's representatives on Friday.
      Riding high: The Brazil ace has already been the subject of a bid from Chelsea
      Riding high: The Brazil ace has already been the subject of a bid from Chelsea
      The Italian giants are expected to submit an offer of about £20million this week - an improvement on their £15m bid in the winter.
      Lucas told Estadao: 'You never know what can happen. I don't have a crazy desire to leave but, when the time comes, I will speak with my family and decide what is best for my future.
      'When I go on the internet I see Inter, Real Madrid and I don't know who else, wanting to come for me with a truck load of money.
      'Of course I think about it, but I can't let it go to my head. I'm very calm and down to earth about it. My job is to play football so that these clubs continue to be interested.'
      Lucas's agent Wagner Ribeiro has a very close relationship with both Chelsea and Real Madrid, but has previously failed to place Robinho and Neymar at Stamford Bridge.
      Inter see the playmaker as a successor to Wesley Sneijder, while they are also in Brazil to negotiate for Corinthians midfielder Paulinho.
      Milan newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport reports they also want to be kept informed about Internacional midfielder Oscar, who is interesting Tottenham.