Neville Is For Sale In Ferguson Shake-Up
Sir Alex Ferguson will accept offers for utility man Phil Neville as he looks to make room for new players. It is understood Manchester United boss Ferguson has reluctantly chosen to offer his valued England squad player a way out of the club - with Newcastle and Middlesbrough already among the interested parties. Ferguson knows he must sell before buying new players and Neville, who signed a new five-year deal only last summer, would command a fee of about £3million.
Ian Ladyman, Daily Mail

Pour ceux que ça interesse voilà notre nouveau maillot pour jouer à l´exterieur, il doit remplacer le noir a priori. http://www.manutd.com/kitlaunch/default.sps?hp

Smith set for future Keane role

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has earmarked striker Alan Smith as the long-term midfield replacement for Roy Keane.
Smith, 24, has been used in a midfield role in United´s far eastern tour, which 33-year-old Keane is sitting out.

Ferguson said: " It is pointless looking for a replacement for Roy because there is no player like that around.

" We are looking within the squad to see if there is a similar type of player who can play that role."

United signed Smith as a striker from Leeds in May 2004 for £7m but the subsequent arrival of Wayne Rooney has increased competition for places in a strikeforce that includes Ruud van Nistelrooy and Louis Saha.

Ferguson is keen to find a replacement for Keane as part of his attempts to reconstruct United´s midfield.

His use of Smith in midfield in the 2-0 win over Hong Kong comes at a sensitive time for United, who have insisted that Keane is missing from the tour because of injury and not for disciplinary reasons following an alleged row with Ferguson.

Reports have linked United with a move for Bayern Munich midfielder Michael Ballack but Ferguson will initially try and exhaust possibilities in his current squad.

The United boss said: " We have some options. There´s Alan Smith, Darren Fletcher, Quinton Fortune and Phil Neville, who have all played in the position in the past.

" We´ve experimented with Alan in that role and he´s done very well, so that´s an option.

" Alan´s young and obviously it´s something we´re possibly looking at in terms of maybe the replacement for Roy eventually."

Meanwhile, United are extending their agreement with international children´s charity Unicef.

United used the announcement of their extension to hand over the first 500 ´Sports In A Box´ kits to children in the Sichuan province in China.

Links between United and Unicef go back to 1999, since when the club have raised £1.5m for the charity, helping over 1.5m children.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who is a Unicef personal ambassador, said: " Unicef´s work is close to my heart.

" At Manchester United we´re in a position to give something back to society and I believe we have a responsibility to do so."

>> Smith pourrait bien etre la solution du milieu defensif d´après ce dit Sir Alex, ça permettrait en plus de faire jouer Rossi en equipe première.

United To Help UNICEF With New Targets

Manchester United have announced a four-year pledge to use their leadership in sport to assist UNICEF, the United Nations Children´s Fund, in achieving its development targets for children.

Chief executive David Gill was joined by Sir Alex Ferguson, Ryan Giggs and Dong Fangzhou at a press conference here in Beijing as part of the launch of the pledge.

" UNICEF´S work is close to my heart," explained Sir Alex. " We at Manchester United are in a position to give something back to society and I firmly believe we have a responsibility to do so.

" It is inspiring to see our players using their international profile to deliver important social messages to children worldwide."

The announcement takes the well-established ´United for UNICEF´ partnership from six years into a ten-year public-private partnership making it the longest collaboration between a Premiership football club and a global charity.

The new four-year agreement will see United, who have raised over £1.5million since the partnership began in 1999, invest practical and financial support to enhance and aid UNICEF´s pioneering Sport for Development work.

UNICEF is incorporating the power and potential of sport into country programmes across the world to promote the healthy development of children and teach important life lessons such as respect, leadership, co-operation and equality.

Children from Sichuan Province in China were the first to benefit at today´s launch as players handed over 500 Sport-in-a-Box kits to those involved in a Manchester United funded programme to educate school children about the risks of trafficking.

" We will be immensely proud to see our partnership with UNICEF grow into a ten-year partnership helping children all over the world," added David Gill.

" We all look forward to lending our experience in football and in sport to UNICEF to help enhance and support grassroots programmes for children which use sport to inspire, engage and develop children and deliver UNICEF´s goals."

Report by Gemma Thompson, in Beijing.

vous pouver traduire en francais parce que l´anglais et moi sa fait deux

Man Utd reject Kleberson offers

Manchester United have reportedly turned down two bids for out-of-favour Brazilian midfielder Kleberson.
Spanish side Celta Vigo and Turkish outfit Besiktas are believed to have had offers for the 26-year-old World Cup winner rejected.

Kleberson is thought to be available for transfer but United are keen to recoup as much of the £6m they paid Atletico Paranaense for his services.

Kleberson has made only 30 appearances in an injury-ravaged United career.

His chances of breaking into the first team were further hit when Sir Alex Ferguson bought midfielder Park Ji-Sung from PSV for £4m.

Owls land Eagles.

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Owls swoop to take Eagles on loan
Sheffield Wednesday have signed young Manchester United winger Chris Eagles on loan until 31 December.
The 19-year-old has been brought in as cover for injured Scottish midfielder Jon-Paul McGovern, who will be out until October with a back problem.

England youth international Eagles made 14 Championship appearances in a loan spell at Watford last season.

He played in United´s Champions League third round qualifying game at home against Bucharest in August 2004.

Neville approaches made

Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he has received several approaches for Phil Neville.

Middlesbrough and Newcastle United were both linked with a move for the England international in Tuesday´s press and West Brom manager Bryan Robson is believed to be an admirer of the versatile 28-year-old.

Wigan Athletic boss Paul Jewell could also view Neville as an ideal addition to bring some Premiership experience to his newly-promoted squad.

" There have been a few enquiries for Phil over the last two or three weeks," confirmed Ferguson. " But, so far, we have not accepted any of them."

Ferguson is bidding to convert Alan Smith into a midfield option and that would leave Neville, always handy back-up, surplus to requirements at Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, the United boss has backed Ruud van Nistelrooy after another disappointing show in front of goal from the Dutchman.

Van Nistelrooy toiled in the 3-0 win against Beijing Hyundai but the Scot has no worries about the former PSV Eindhoven star, who had started the pre-season positively.

" Ruud is not lacking in confidence," claimed Ferguson.

" I thought he did very well.

" He will score goals this season - I have no worries about that."

United´s battle in Beijing

Manchester United ground out a 3-0 victory in what could be dubbed the battle of Beijing in The Workers´ Stadium.

The Red Devils triumphed against Beijing Hyundai in a game that could be termed anything but friendly as several flashpoints marred a comfortable victory for Sir Alex Ferguson´s men.

From the outset, the game was unnecessarily niggly with Ruud van Nistelrooy at the centre of most of the ugly confrontations. The Dutchman received a buffering throughout and was the victim of a crude foul from Lu Jiang before being withdrawn.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney had their own spats with the opposition as the referee was kept busy throughout the proceedings.

The bright spots for United came from Paul Scholes and Park Ji-sung, who grabbed the goals - the Korean´s being his first for his new club.

Van Nistelrooy had forced a flying save from Yang Zhi and shot wastefully off target when a goal seemed certain before the deadlock was broken three minutes before the break.

After a patient build-up, Rooney fed Darren Fletcher and the Scot had time to measure his centre for Scholes, the former England international guiding a glancing header into the corner of the net.

Three minutes later, and the lead was doubled with Scholes again on the scoresheet, almost apologetically striking the ball into the net after a mis-hit drive by van Nistelrooy fell to him. Gary Neville´s deep cross had created the opening.

Soon after the interval, Ronaldo, on as a substitute, sprinted down the right flank and delivered a great cross that enabled Park to head past Yang Zhi at the far post as van Nistelrooy appealed in vain for a penalty inside the box.

The game petered out with Edwin van der Sar rarely called into action before being replaced by debutant Luke Steele in the United goal.

One worrying aspect for The Red Devils might be another game without a goal for Rooney, who continues to operate in what is effectively a midfield role and seems unable to get himself into goalscoring positions at present.

>> Scholes a l´air en forme en ce moment.

Les buts contre Beijing:

http://mutd.free.fr/dl/videos2000/0506/presaison/beijing/

user:zonefoot.net
no password

United Reject Duo Bids
Manchester United have rejected £1m bids from Celta Vigo and Besiktas for Kleberson and told Wigan, Newcastle and Middlesbrough they will have to pay £2.5m for Phil Neville. Sir Alex Ferguson said: " We´ve had a few inquiries for Phil and we´ve rejected offers from Besiktas and Celta Vigo for Kleberson."
George Scott, Daily Star

Selon europe 2, Fortune aurait ete propose a l´asse

Victoire de la réserve 7-0

Foster, United’s £2.5million buy from Stoke, prevented Rossendale getting on the scoresheet when he saved a first-half penalty

Keane to stay in England

Sir Alex Ferguson insists he will not risk Roy Keane´s fitness by beckoning his captain to join Manchester United´s tour of Asia.

Keane was left behind when The Red Devils flew out for their four-game tour last week, officially due to a hamstring injury.

But Keane´s absence from the trip sparked rumours he had been involved in a bust-up with his manager during the club´s pre-season training camp in the Algarve.

United boss Ferguson is adamant the Irish firebrand was omitted so as not to further aggravate his minor hamstring injury.

The midfielder´s appearance for a United XI against Rossendale United on Tuesday evening prompted suggestions Ferguson would send for his skipper for the final two matches in Japan.

Ferguson, though, feels Keane will be better served by staying in England, rather than unnecessarily risking his complaint on a long plane journey.

" There is no point bringing Roy out at this stage because he could only play in one game," said Ferguson.

" We have another match at Walsall on Saturday, so as long as he comes through last night´s game without a problem, he will play in that instead."

Meanwhile, United chief executive David Gill is confident the club´s popularity is not on the slide despite the lack of big crowds in the Far East.

During Tuesday´s 3-0 friendly win over Beijing Hyundai, The Workers´ Stadium was only a third full, while the attendance for the weekend success in Hong Kong was less than on a previous visit.

But while Gill is concerned at the lack of numbers watching United´s matches, he does not feel it is a sign that the club´s fanbase is diminishing.

" Clearly, last night´s crowd was disappointing," said Gill.

" There are various factors behind that which will need to be investigated.

" But we were very pleased with the crowd in Hong Kong and we are confident there will be good crowds for our final two matches.

" What is happening on this tour does not lead us to the conclusion popularity in us is waning."

c claire que rossi et dong ont un bel avenir devant eux quels finisseurs

Smith Relishes Midfield Role

Sir Alex Ferguson´s experimentation with Alan Smith in central midfield is a long-term solution to finding a replacement for Roy Keane.

Smith believes Ferguson has been grooming him for the role, but the 24-year-old has not been pressurised by his manager into taking on the burdensome tag of ´the next Keane´.

" A lot of people have spoken about me taking over from Roy Keane," said Smith.

" I don´t know about that, but he is probably the best player in this country in central midfield so if the manager wants me to play there, I don´t have to watch anyone else."

He added: " This is another challenge for me and I am sure the manager is looking long-term. It´s something I am having to adjust to."

There are similarities between the two: their passing is simple, but effective; they are aggressive, strong players and wouldn´t shy away from the physical side of the game; and they share a similar passion, commitment and determination to win.

But there are crucial differences. The Irishman´s all-consuming leadership, his ability to control the pace of the game and drive United forward are difficult to find in just one player.

Keane has been United´s talisman and leader for almost a decade now. Asking Smith to fulfil that role as well may be too much to ask. But United may draw leadership from Rio Ferdinand, who has captained the team in Keane´s absence, whilst Wayne Rooney could certainly become a talismanic figure in the same mould as Eric Cantona.

In the long term Smith may be better suited as part of a central three in midfield, alongside Darren Fletcher with Wayne Rooney playing Scholes´ current advanced midfield role.

Whichever way Ferguson decides to shape his team in future seasons, Smith feels he can learn from his skipper´s many attributes.

" I have a lot of respect for Roy," he says. " Both as a player and a captain. He doesn´t mind making tackles and neither do I and there is no-one else I would prefer to learn from.

" The most important thing is that you are doing something that will benefit the team as a whole.

He added: " I am enjoying it and I am willing to learn but the good thing is that the manager has not just thrown me in there and expected me to adapt straightaway."

Smith played in midfield for Leeds as they battled against relegation, though not in the central holding role he is being asked to play in now. He also operated in a deeper position against Birmingham, Crewe and Lyon last season.

" The manager has given me time to adjust and it is nice to come out without any pressure."

If Smith is eventually to alter his position, he can take comfort in the knowledge that Keane´s role was not set in stone before he arrived from Nottingham Forest for £3.75m in 1993. At the City Ground he was frequently used in defence.

During United´s pre-season friendlies, Smith has looked capable of adapting, but the greater test will come in mastering the position at the Premiership´s sharp end and on the unforgiving stage of the Champions League.

Report by Ben Hibbs.

salut sa veut dire koi en gros

Ca parle du nouveau rôle de Smith au milieu, il dit qu´il se plait bien à ce poste.

ok merci car avec l´anglais je galére

UNITED CRASH TO DEFEAT

Manchester United crashed to an embarrassing defeat in the latest leg of their Asian tour as Kashima Antlers recorded a merited 2-1 victory.

Minor earthquakes in the area failed to unsettle the J-League leaders and Masashi Motoyama, in particular, who struck two beautiful left-footed goals past Tim Howard.

Ryan Giggs´s early effort was all United could muster in response, despite bringing big guns Ruud van Nistelrooy, Wayne Rooney and Alan Smith into the fray in the second half.

With only five minutes on the clock, Phil Neville misjudged a crossfield pass and Motoyama pounced in emphatic fashion, lashing a superb volley past Howard´s despairing dive.

It took only three minutes for United to reply as Louis Saha fed Cristiano Ronaldo and the Portuguese winger´s inviting cross was tucked in at the far post by Giggs.

Motoyama displayed his class again to restore Antlers´ advantage as he collected a neat touch from Mitsuo Ogasawara and despatched an unerring finish into the back of the net.

Howard needed to pull off a great save from Takayuki Suzuki but United also spurned first half openings through Saha and Ronaldo.

After the break, Kleberson went close after a neat turn and Roony had several efforts off target. Van Nistelrooy shot tamely from a Rooney tee-up and Ronaldo somehow headed wide at the far post after fine work from Kleberson.

Montoyama had two great attempts in a bid to seal his hat-trick but the most noteworthy effort came late on as Park Ji-Sung contrived to blaze over van Nistelrooy´s clever back-heel. The Korean was injured soon afterwards, receiving a cut to his head, when passing up another opportunity.

It all turned ugly for United at the end; van Nistelrooy needlessly kneeing his marker in an off-the-ball incident and then becoming embroiled in a furious bust-up with Rio Ferdinand after the final whistle.

The two stars were arguing with each other, seemingly after Ferdinand accused the striker of failing to show for the ball in the closing stages.