hop 700 ieme message

boysay> les 2 ; -)

salut les gars
alors mon vote
mes 3 joueurs préférés
Ruuuud,beckam,veron

=>=>SONDAGE...............!

1)Quels sont vos 3 joueurs preferes de man utd?

Beckham 5voix
Van Nistelroy 4 voix
Veron 3 voix
Giggs 2 voix
Ferdinand 1 voix
Scholes 1 voix
Silvestre 1 voix
Solsjkaer 1 voix

=>SONDAGE...............!

1)Quels sont vos 3 joueurs preferes de man utd?

2)Quels joueurs pensez-vous que man utd doivent recruter cet ete?

=>=>SONDAGE...............!

1)Quels sont vos 3 joueurs preferes de man utd?

Beckham 5voix
Van Nistelroy 4 voix
Veron 3 voix
Giggs 2 voix
Ferdinand 1 voix
Scholes 1 voix
Silvestre 1 voix
Solsjkaer 1 voix

=>ont vote: Teal-C, Greenpepper, s-2l, ruffles3000, et Bond7

; -)

=>les news quotidiennes.....(surtt sur la forme des internationaux de man utd!)

"We´ll Turk ´em apart "
England skipper David Beckham insists he will not need to wind up his team-mates for Turkey´s trip to the Stadium of Light on Wednesday. Becks was forced to drag his half-hearted colleagues up by their boot straps in a Euro 2004 qualifier with Liechtenstein on Saturday. It needed a star performance from the Manchester United midfielder - who added to Michael Owen´s first-half strike - to save coach Sven Goran Eriksson from humiliation against a country ranked 151st in the world. But Beckham, 27, is certain it will be a different story against Group Seven leaders Turkey at Sunderland´s ground this week. And he vowed: "I won´t need to get anyone going for that one. They´ll definitely all be up for Turkey.
Mark Irwin, The Sun

"Rio plays it safe "
Rio Ferdinand will not be taking any chances with England´s European Championship hopes. Manchester United´s £30million centre-back, 24, developed a reputation for bringing the ball out without resorting to long passes. But he now accepts he tried to be too cultured on occasions. And the SunSport columnist is no longer averse to launching a long hoof if need be. Ferdinand said: "My game has matured a lot. When I was at West Ham, and even at Leeds, I would take risks and sometimes get caught out. But my coaches at United and England have tried to make me a bit more of a defender. I still want to play nice football but only at the right times."
Mark Irwin, The Sun

"We were so sloppy"
Gary Neville fears England will be in for a major shock on Wednesday if they do not cut the disturbing sloppiness out of their game. The straight-talking Manchester United defender admitted the whole team were off the pace during Saturday´s 2-0 victory over Liechtenstein. And he warned they must all raise their game against the Turks or face the prospect of failing to qualify for Euro 2004. Tapping the side of his head, Neville declared: "We´ll have to be much sharper up here or we´ll have major problems against Turkey. We were always in the comfort zone against Liechtenstein and there were far too many sloppy things going on. The ball was rolling under players´ feet, passes were going out for throw-ins and I was beaten in the air by a midget more times than ever before in my life!" Neville candidly accepted there was a lack of motivation in the tiny Rheinpark Stadion. But he promised the team will be breathing fire in Sunderland´s Stadium of Light on Wednesday.
Mark Irwin, The Sun

"Real-ly excited over Becks"
Real Madrid are stepping up their chase for David Beckham following his wonder goal against Liechtenstein. The Spanish giants were impressed after watching the Manchester United superstar inspire England to a 2-0 victory on Saturday. Real managing director Jorge Valdano confirmed Becks, who converted a superb free-kick for the second goal, is still very much a target. And he compared the England skipper, 27, to his world-class playmaker Zinedine Zidane. Valdano said: "I stand by what I said in an interview last week. David Beckham still looks very much like a Real Madrid transfer market project. Our work at Madrid is to bring through young players like central defender Pavon and to sign the world´s great players like Zidane. There are plenty of players like Pavon in the world but very few like Zidane and Beckham, without doubt, is one of them."
Ben Kinsella, The Sun

"Leader of the band"
David Beckham has added an Alice band to his armband. The England skipper wore the particular headgear for the first time against Liechenstein on Saturday night. It was first noticed after Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson hit the midfielder above the eye with a flying boot. But Becks revealed: "My hair is too long at the moment so I had to wear this."
Danny Fullbrook, Daily Star

"Rio turns up the heat"
Rio Ferdinand insists England will have to find their World Cup form to beat Turkey at Sunderland on Wednesday. After Saturday in Liechenstein, the Manchester United defender knows England must play with the kind of intensity they had to show last summer. He said: "Against Turkey we will be expecting a win, full stop. The approach to the game is going to be a lot different to Saturday against Liechenstein."
Danny Fullbrook, Daily Star

"We were sloppy, but you´ll see the real England against Turkey"
When the final whistle went on Saturday night, Gary Neville knew that England had not looked good. He remembered the times a pass had slipped underneath a player´s foot or a cross had sailed into the grassy banks behind the goal. And he remembered being regularly out-jumped by the left-winger he was marking, a pocket dynamo called Thomas Beck. "I was beaten by a midget today more times than I care to remember," Neville said after the game."
Oliver Holt, Daily Mirror

"Hughes has finish line in his sights"
As a man who is soon to run in the London Marathon, Mark Hughes knows it is foolish to look too far ahead. But after four straight wins in Euro 2004 qualifying, the Wales manager has, for the first time, speculated about what his team must do to make it to the finals in Portugal. "I don´t like to look too far ahead, everybody knows that," said Hughes after the 4-0 hammering of Azerbaijan. "But I have heard people suggest that three more wins may be enough."
Ian Ladyman, Daily Mail

=>=>SONDAGE...............!

1)Quels sont vos 3 joueurs preferes de man utd?

Beckham 5voix
Van Nistelroy 4 voix
Veron 3 voix
Giggs 2 voix
Ferdinand 1 voix
Scholes 1 voix
Silvestre 1 voix
Solsjkaer 1 voix

=>ont vote: Teal-C, Greenpepper, s-2l, ruffles3000, Bond7 et Boysay

; -)

=>encore des news sur les internationaux ; -)

Ryan Giggs helped Wales to an impressive 4-0 win over Azerbaijan - the Welsh national team´s biggest win in seven years.

Giggs capped off the win with the fourth goal at the Millennium Stadium in the 52nd minute. Bellamy put Mark Hughes´ side in front after just one minute. Gary Speed and John Hartson were the other scorers.

Also in Group Nine, Italy beat Finland 2-0 - both goals scored by Christian Vieri. But Wales still top the group on maximum points. Italy have a game in hand, but would still be five points behind should they win their extra match.

John O´Shea started for Ireland as they sneaked a late win in Georgia. Damien Duff and Gary Doherty got the goals - Doherty´s winner came just six minutes before the final whistle.

It was Ireland´s first win in Group Ten, they still have it all to do as Brian Kerr´s men are currently languising second from bottom.

Ruud van Nistelrooy struck on half-time for Holland with a well-placed header to give them the lead against the Czech Republic.

Ruud went close on numerous occasions for the Dutch, but Dick Advocaat´s side couldn´t increase their 1-0 lead.

Jan Koller pulled the Czechs level on 69 minutes and that is the way it remained. The point each means the two sides are level on points at the top of Group Three.

France brushed aside Malta with ease in a 6-0 romp in Group One. Mikael Silvestre and Fabien Barthez both played as Sylvan Wiltord and David Trezeguet added to a brace each for Thierry Henry and Zinedine Zidane. France head the group by the small matter of eight points.

( source=manutd.com)

=> un article interessant..........

The Guardian’s John Rawling says Ferguson may feel the time is right to cash in on Beckham.

‘So what are we to make of the odd tale of Real Madrid and David Beckham?

I would hazard a guess that there is no smoke without fire in this case and there has to be a chance that Beckham, along with his out-of-sorts Manchester United team-mate Ryan Giggs, will be heading for the Old Trafford exit door at the end of the season, especially if Real prevail in the Champions League quarter-final between the two clubs and United fail in their attempt to win the Premiership.

United would be looking to pocket about £40m for the sale of Beckham, which may sound an outrageous sum in a depressed football economy until you consider the fact that Real are desperate to emulate the multi-million-pound industry which is spawned by the sale of shirts, scarves and other knick-knacks bearing United´s name. Signing Beckham, one of the world´s most instantly recognisable footballers, then begins to look more like a business gamble worth taking.

The protests of the United faithful would be huge. Unless you have watched a match at Old Trafford, it may be difficult to appreciate the affection there is for Beckham. To them he is up there with all the United greats.

It takes a brave man to cast such a player aside but I would not be surprised if Sir Alex Ferguson did precisely that, because it is glaringly obvious that the United manager is often distinctly unimpressed by the show-pony side of Beckham´s character. Beckham´s ability on the pitch may have saved him being jettisoned some time ago, along with the little matter of the millions he generates for the plc, but Ferguson may be ready to take the big decision now.

Finally Rawlings draws on a historical reference ‘..seasoned Fergie watchers might say he would look at the £60m he might pick up from the sale of Beckham and Giggs as the ideal opportunity to rejuvenate his side once again. After all in 1995 he did the unthinkable and sold Ince; in 1996 United won the Double.’

=>The Spanish press is still stirring it with Real Madrid director of sport Jorge Valdano again hinting that Beckham might join the Spanish club. Valdano was asked whether Real intended to recruit "Zidanes ( world stars) or Pavons ( homegrown players)".

"We can find some Pavons, but it is difficult to find many Zidanes. Beckham is one of those players without doubt," said Valdano in Spanish paper AS.

"I can also think of other names in Italian and English football, who have great ability and who could also be useful to Madrid. At the moment there is nothing focused on Beckham, but I think there is so much interest in the press to take the story further that no matter how much we deny it, we are not going to be able to forget Beckham´s name until the end of the season."

=> source "lequipe.fr"

Le président du Real Madrid Florentino Perez a démenti lundi les rumeurs faisant état d´un intérêt du Real Madrid pour le milieu de terrain international anglais de Manchester United, David Beckham.

«Personne au Real Madrid n´a imaginé de recruter Beckham la saison prochaine», a affirmé M. Perez en marge de la signature d´une convention de collaboration avec le ministère espagnol de l´Intérieur pour la création d´écoles sportives d´intégration sociale des immigrants.

M. Perez a estimé que ces rumeurs qui s´étalent depuis plusieurs jours dans les pages sportives de la presse espagnole sont «un manque de respect» envers «un club ami» comme Manchester United et envers les joueurs du Real Madrid.
Le Real Madrid accueillera Manchester United le 8 avril en match aller des quarts de finale de la Ligue des Champions

=>le real a deja Mc Mananman ca devrait leur suffire ^^

; -)

• Mc Manaman

d´apres "lequipe.fr":

"MU : Bénéfices à la baisse"

Mardi, Manchester United a annoncé une baisse de 34% de ses bénéfices semestriels. Parmi les raisons évoquées, des revenus moindres tirés des cessions de joueurs.

Le club mancunien a dégagé ce dernier semestre un bénéfice imposable de 29,4 millions d´euros. La baisse de 34% enregistrée reste néanmoins inférieure aux prévisions des analystes. Le chiffre d´affaires des Red Devils s´élève quant à lui à hauteur de 92,6 millions de livres ( +13%).

Manchester United a achevé son semestree sans la moindre dette et avec des réserves en numéraire de 3,8 millions de livres.

"La solidité de notre bilan et nos sources de revenus diversifiées ont renforcé la capacité de résister et la compétitivité de notre marque. Pour l´avenir, nous avons une stratégie claire : nous concentrer sur le developpement des droits de retransmission, la conversion des fans en clients et l´influence de notre marque au niveau mondial", a commenté le directeur général du club Peter Kenyon.

=>le detail de ce bilan........

Manchester United PLC published its Interim Report for the six months to 31 January 2003 on Tuesday morning. These were the highlights:

Highlights

· Group turnover up 13% to £92.6 million ( 2002: £81.8 million) - benefiting from more home cup games and higher media revenues

· Group operating profit before player amortisation and disposals up 32% to £31.1 million ( 2002: £23.6 million) driven by new commercial arrangement with Nike

· Exceptional gains from player disposals £0.2 million ( 2002: £16.3 million)

· Profit before tax decreased by 34% to £20.3 million, reflecting lower gains from player disposals ( 2002: £30.9 million)

· Earnings per share down 40% to 5.4p ( 2002: 9.0p). Adjusted earnings per share up 17% to 8.2p ( 2002: 7.0p)

· Net cash inflow from operating activities doubled to £17.9 million ( 2002: £9.0 million)

· Continuing strong record of dividend growth, up 5% to 0.67p ( 2002: 0.64p)

· Debt free balance sheet, net cash of £3.8 million ( 2002: £2.9 million debt)

· Progress into the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League for the seventh successive season, a record unmatched in Europe

Peter Kenyon, Chief Executive, commented:

"We have significantly improved our operating performance. The strength of the balance sheet and our diversified revenue streams have increased the resilience and competitiveness of Manchester United PLC.

"Looking ahead, we have a clear strategy focusing on the development of media rights, the conversion of more fans to customers and the leveraging of our global brand. This will ensure that Manchester United is well placed both on and off the field."

=>"Wilf´s World: Title race special"

In his latest column, Wilf McGuinness gives us his unique insight on the battle for the Premiership...

This year it’s a terrific title race. To be honest, I wish Manchester United were in Arsenal’s position with their run in, but, saying that, I feel confident we can get the points. I’ve got this feeling that we will win at Highbury. In the game down there I really think we will get opportunities. I’m not worried about going to Highbury. I’m more worried about going to Newcastle because they are absolutely flying at the moment.

Now Arsenal have got through to the FA Cup semi final, it means an extra game for them. Sheffield United won’t give them an easy game, there is too much at stake. The way Sheffield United have been playing under Neil Warnock, it’s not pretty, but it’s certainly effective. They’ll know they’ve been in a game. There’s no arguing that Arsenal are a terrific team – they just don’t know how to play in Europe!

It will be a big game against Arsenal, they’ve got the semi final on Sunday, and we play against Newcastle the day before. They’ve got a day less to recover before the big game at Highbury, which is a shame!

There’s just something about Arsenal, they’re not playing with the fluency that they were at the start of the season. They’ve had a few bad results recently – losing in Europe and against Blackburn. I’d put that down to pressure perhaps, but also a few injuries. Because of injuries and so forth – maybe Arsene Wenger was trying to rest players – Arsenal didn’t look as fluent as they have done. In the games against Everton in the league, and Chelsea in the cup, they were a bit fortunate at times. It was a bit of class and a bit of good fortune.

I must mention Newcastle. Full marks to Bobby Robson, he’s done remarkably well. So well in fact that I’m thinking of making a comeback myself. His enthusiasm is a big part of it. They were unlucky in Europe, and very unfortunate in Italy against Inter Milan. But they are having a wonderful season and are playing some really attractive football.

United have had injury problems and didn’t get off to the best start this season. But, the fact that United are in such a good position at this stage I put down to players like Nicky Butt, Phil Neville and Gary Neville - those sort of players. Not because they are home-grown but those players help us to play better when we haven’t got the ball. We allowed teams like Bolton space. Bolton have good players now, it’s not Bolton of old, there’s barely a home-grown player in sight! We’re playing a top European outfit! If you give teams like that time on the ball, and time to manoeuvre, then you get in trouble defensively. And at times earlier in the season we got ourselves in trouble in defence. It’s been the combination of our goalscorers scoring and our defenders stopping goals. Earlier in the season it was the opposite. What turned the key was that we believed in our own ability.

It might be down to the last game, and then May will be the most important month. I’m not a believer in putting it down to one month or one game. If we win every game we will win the title. I think by having the most difficult fixtures may keep us on our toes. Certainly more so than a set of games where you think ‘this should be an easy one we can rest a few players’. That can lead to complacency. It nearly happened to Arsenal against Everton. There’s still a lot that can happen. Some people will say Arsenal are favourites, United are second and then comes Newcastle, but it may not end that way. That is what football is about. There are more twists and turns to come. We can make the more difficult run in work in our favour. I think that is what Sir Alex will be trying to do. The players know they can’t take their foot off the pedal. With easier run-ins, the other challengers may think they can.

The Liverpool game is a big one. It’s out next game and it’s a must-win. It’s important for our fans, because there is such a big rivalry there. Liverpool will come here and put up a blockade and try and hit us on the break. They won’t do it any other way. They’ll find a way of defending with all eleven players.

Ruud’s goal against Fulham was just a fantastic goal. He picked it up and he shrugged Legwinski off, actually in United’s half which makes it an even better goal. He beat four players and the goalkeeper. But it was the pace he showed going past the defenders, and the finish. What a finish. I don’t know he got his foot at such an angle. He managed to turn and side-footed it past the keeper with his right boot. It summed everything that makes Ruud van Nistelrooy; pace, power, strength and superb finishing. It was a wonderful effort. The only problem is we will be expecting that every week. It doesn’t happen all the time but, when it does, we get something wonderful. Ruud looks as though he has hit top form. If he carries on like he is doing, with the form he showed against Fulham, I think we’ll see a lot more goals from him before the end of the season. Thirty-two goals from Ruud this season, not bad is it?

Enjoy the games coming up,

=>Pour ceux que ce interesse, le rapport complet sur les finances de man utd......

"Chairman´s statement"

Manchester United PLC chairman Sir Roy Gardner issued the following statement with the interim results published on Tuesday:

A Strong First Half

Manchester United PLC aims to set the highest standards of achievement both on the pitch and in its business and I am pleased to report good performance on both of these measures in the first six months of this financial year.

Group Turnover in the six months was £92.6 million, up 13% on the same period last year benefiting from an increased number of home cup games and higher media revenues. Group operating profit before amortisation and player trading profits was £31.1 million, up 32% on last year, mainly as a result of the new Nike commercial partnership. Profit before tax was £20.3 million, ( 2002 £30.9 million) reflecting the higher level of amortisation of player registrations following the purchase of Diego Forlan in January 2002 and Rio Ferdinand in July 2002 and the absence of any significant player trading profits in the first six months of this year. Consequently earnings per share were also reduced to 5.4 pence ( 2002: 9.0 pence).

As a result of the strong performance in the first six months of the year, and reflecting its commitment to delivering value to shareholders, the Board has increased the interim dividend by 5% to 0.67 pence, for the third consecutive year.

Mounting a challenge in all competitions

On the pitch we aim to compete at the highest level in every competition. The Board´s objective is to ensure that, within its financial constraints, it supports the Manager in maintaining a squad capable of meeting that challenge and sustaining the team´s long-term competitiveness.

Our progress to the Worthington Cup Final was particularly pleasing, as is our progress into the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League for the seventh successive season, a record unmatched in Europe.

In the Premiership we will be challenging strongly through to the end of the season and aim to qualify once again for next year´s UEFA Champions League.

Delivering financial performance

In our business the aim is to grow matchday, media and commercial revenues, whilst controlling our costs.

In the first six months we achieved an increase in all three income streams. Matchday revenues were up 21% to £42.9 million, with 23 home games, 6 more than in 2002 as a result of additional cup games.

Media revenues were up 10% to £26.9 million, reflecting the second year of the three-year UK TV deals, and the live broadcast of 10 games on subscription TV and 4 on pay-per-view ( 2002: 9 live and 4 PPV games).

Commercial revenues increased by 4% to £22.8 million, benefiting from the new commercial partnership with Nike and the eight new Platinum Sponsorship deals. The contribution to operating profits of commercial revenues increased by £6.2 million as a result of replacing the in-house merchandising business with the guaranteed minimum revenues from the Nike partnership. Both Manchester United and Nike are very pleased with the way the new arrangement has started.

Total wages have been managed within the limit we have set ourselves of 50% of turnover for the full year. In the first six months wages were £39.7 million, representing 43% of turnover ( 2002: 42%). As usual the second half will include two months of the ´off´ season so the percentage of wages to turnover will rise to around 50% for the year.

Debt free balance sheet

Our balance sheet remains strong with net cash at 31 January of £3.8 million ( 2002: £2.9 million debt). This reflects the strong operating cash flow and lower capital expenditure as a result of the completion of the stadium and academy facilities in the previous year. The £12 million debt from SS Lazio has been rescheduled to 2004/05 in return for 20.4 million euros ( £13.3 million) by way of assignment of receivables due to Lazio from their own player sales. Under domestic Italian transfer regulations these amounts are payable via the Lega Nazionale Professionisti ( Italian League) and in accordance with Italian League rules are backed by bank guarantees or insurance policies.

One of the hotel investments, Golden Tulip, in which the Company had a 25% stake was sold on 6 March 2003 producing an initial profit of £0.3 million, which will be accounted for in the second half results, and cash of £0.9 million. Further conditional payments of up to £0.5 million will be received depending on the hotel´s performance over the year to February 2004 and release of monies retained for potential warranty claims.

These 4 elements have increased the Group Operating profit before amortisation and player trading profits to £31.1 million, 32% up on last year.

Office of Fair Trading

Manchester United continues to co-operate with the Office of Fair Trading investigation into the past pricing of replica kits. We expect that the final outcome will be announced in April/May.

Board Changes

I would like to record the Board´s appreciation for the contribution made by Martin Edwards who has now stepped down from the PLC Board after 12 years of outstanding service. Martin will remain Chairman of the Football Club, of which he has been a director since 1970, until the UEFA Champions League Final at Old Trafford at the end of May, a prestigious event both for the Company and for Manchester.

The Outlook

The strength of the balance sheet and our diversified and highly visible revenue streams reduce the exposure of Manchester United to the financial uncertainties being suffered by some other clubs in the Premiership and around Europe. The Group´s future strategy for growth is built on:

· Maintaining the playing success
We continue to evolve the first team squad. The progression of John O´Shea to a first team regular and the promotion of Kieran Richardson, Danny Pugh and Darren Fletcher to the first team squad demonstrate the success of our investment in developing new young players.

· Developing the value of Media Rights
Manchester United continues to support the collective selling of a central live package of TV rights whilst seeking the return, for its own exploitation, of other rights.

· Converting more fans to customers
The development of our Customer Relationship Management System is on schedule. This is a key strategic initiative which will give us the ability to know more about our supporters and customers. Phase I has been completed delivering a working system which consolidates all known data about our current customers. This will assist us in building stronger relationships with them through the development of new branded offerings such as MU Finance, MU.TV ( our online subscription media service) and those services offered through our partners.

· Leveraging the Group Global brand
We continue to work with our first class partners in developing new products and services.

Looking further ahead these strategies, combined with our strong financial discipline will ensure Manchester United continues to progress both on and off the field.

Sir Roy Gardner
Chairman, Manchester United PLC

=>enfin , les news d´aujourd´hui ; -)

=>Duff plus cher que prevu....
"Damien and an omen"
Manchester United and Liverpool have been tipped off that Damien Duff´s new contract with Blackburn Rovers has an £18 million get-out clause. But the price is too high for both clubs as prices in the UK are about to tumble because of worries over the timing of any new Premiership TV contract.
Harry Harris, Daily Star

=>"Do you want to be in my gang? "
Nicky Butt has admitted there are still player cliques divided along club lines within the England squad. The Manchester United midfielder revealed players stick with their club colleagues when called up for England duty, disputing the claim the divisions of the past have gone. Kevin Keegan´s reign as England boss was undermined by factions within the squad, and Butt´s revelation - at a time when Sven Goran Eriksson needs a unified camp - proves they remain. "There´s a lot mentioned about the United, Liverpool and Arsenal thing," said Butt. "When we go away with England, we all have our cliques. I´d be lying if I said we didn´t. I spend time with my friends, and my friends happen to be the United lads. It´s the same in any walk of life. If you´re working on a building site, just because you work on the same site as everybody else, you´ve always got your close friends."
David McDonnell, Daily Mirror

"O´Shea owes debt to Kerr "
John O´Shea has admitted that regular pep talks with Republic of Ireland boss Brian Kerr helped save his Manchester United career. Defender O´Shea, set to face Albania in Tirana tomorrow after making his first competitive appearance in the 2-1 win in Georgia at the weekend, has made a big impact at Old Trafford this season following his breakthrough into the senior team. But the 21-year-old feared for his future at United after being farmed out to Bournemouth and Royal Antwerp in recent seasons. O´Shea said: "Brian taking charge of Ireland was the perfect scenario for me because I have worked with him many times before. When I was struggling to get into the team at United and being loaned out, I spoke to Brian a lot about my future. He is a great person to go to for advice and he was always very helpful when I phoned him. When I was getting towards the end of my loan at Antwerp, I wondered what lay in store for me when I got back to United. But Brian told me to keep going and not to worry about my future because it would work out for me."
Jim O´Brien, Daily Mirror

=>ROBERTO CARLOS CRAQUE........
"A Real shock for Carlos"
Roberto Carlos could be out of Real Madrid´s showdown with Manchester United after an ugly clash with a referee. Real´s star full-back used his shoulder and elbow to push Israeli ref Alon Yefet during Brazil´s 2-1 defeat in a bad-tempered friendly against Portugal on Saturday. He was sent off but could face further punishment from FIFA.
Matt Barlow, Daily Star

=>news sur les transferts.......

=>"Figo rant at Becks"
David Beckham has been told to forget about Real Madrid - because he would not make the team. Luis Figo reckons United star Becks - a transfer target for the Spanish giants - is not good enough to dislodge him. The Portugal midfielder, 30, said: "If he does come I will not be leaving and I am confident of my place in the team."
Neil Custis, The Sun

=>"United in Ric fight"
Manchester United must fight off Juventus and Inter Milan for Portuguese whizzkid Ricardo Quaresma. United have been talking to the 20-year-old Sporting Lisbon winger for months. But spies from the Italian giants were at Friday´s 4-2 win over England Under-21s in Rio Maior and Juve in particular are desperate to sign him.
Phil Thomas, The Sun

=>une de + ( !) :

"United in a league of their own"
Manchester United will today unveil half-yearly figures that will buck the trend of clubs worrying how much they can invest in the transfer market. Sir Alex Ferguson will be given the purchasing power to bring in five new faces this summer. United will have Real Madrid salivating at the way they make piles of cash, with revenue for the half-year likely to come close to £90 million.
Harry Harris, Daily Express