Manucho is a great prospect

The Reds may have bolstered their attacking options with the deadline day recruitment of Dimitar Berbatov, but Sir Alex Ferguson will soon have another striker to add to the mix.Angolan striker Manucho joined the club at the end of last year after impressing during a three-week trial.He helped his country to the quarter-finals of the African Nations Cup in January - firing four goals - before heading off on loan to Panathinaikos for the remainder of the 2007/08 campaign.Now in possession of a valid work permit, Reds' chief executive David Gill says it won't be too long before United fans see Manucho in action."We couldn’t get a work permit for him straight away, but when we looked at the rules and regulations we found that he actually qualified for one automatically. We’re delighted to have him," Gill told MUTV."He’s 25 years-old and has got a lot of great attributes. You only need to look at the goals he scored at the African Nations Cup to see that and I think he brings something different to the team."He’s got a little injury at the moment, but we’re looking forward to him getting fit and showing us what he can do. He’s a great prospect."

Trophy show at Juventus game

All four stands will give fans a vantage point for photos of the team with the trophies. This display will follow the first action on the pitch, the Manchester United Premier Cup '08 final - featuring some of the world's best under-15 footballers. United will then take on a Juventus squad featuring players like Del Piero, Trezeguet and Buffon from 20:00 BST.Tickets are on open sale online or on 0161 868 8000. Prices start at just £10 for adults and £5 for seniors while all junior seats are £5. Hospitality packages are also available priced at £150 + VAT including a South Stand seat, 2-course chef's table and access to a cash bar. For more details, please call 0161 868 8000 (option 2 then 3).

Boss to help choose successor

Since arriving in Manchester in 1986, Sir Alex has overseen the most successful chapter in the club's history. With time ticking away and the issue of his eventual replacement becoming more impending, chief executive David Gill admits it would be foolish not to consult Ferguson when the time comes."The owners, myself and the relevant people involved will obviously get Alex's views," said Gill. "He's somebody who has managed the club for so many years, knows the club inside out and knows what is required."So his opinion would be invaluable. It would be remiss of us not to have a discussion with him and involve him and get his views. He will be a key part of the process and the board will make the decision. I know Alex wants to make sure he does what he can to ensure the club is successful after he has gone."You don't work at a club like United for more than 20 years without falling in love with it, and he won't want the work he's done going to waste.""The owners will expect me to do the work and then they would get involved in the process of choosing the right man. The manager is a key employee of the club and we need to get it right."

Papers: Glazers Want Ronaldo

United chief executive David Gill has revealed the decision to keep Cristiano Ronaldo on board was taken with the full blessing of the Glazer family. He said that a "short, quick conversation" with the owners took place at the Champions League final in May when there were already rumours about Real Madrid's interest in the Portugal winger. The Spanish club have continued to court the 23-year-old, who scored 42 goals last season, but United are adamant he is not for sale. Gill said: "We saw them (the owners) at the Champions League final and the speculation was already present then. It was a short, quick conversation. Under the PLC regime, we would not have had to sell him but we would have had to be more public. We would would have had to consult major shareholders a lot more. Ultimately it would have been a more public situation. As it is we have had one phone call, one chat in Moscow and the decision was made. Full stop."Manchester Evening NewsAccording to The Sun, Ronaldo has told "close pal" and Real defender Pepe that he still harbours hopes of a move to the Bernabeu.Meanwhile, Gill is quoted in The Mirror as saying that India is the next country in which United want to increase their influence. Gill said: "We've worked on our global position for many years but it would be wrong to think we're impregnable. India is interesting. We've been approached to go there and we're looking at some Soccer School opportunities."In other news, Sir Alex Ferguson has said he believes South Africa has "a lot to offer" and will be equipped to host the World Cup in two years. United play the final game of their tour of the country against Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday.

Good Luck For A New Season

Try ur best for the new season...make us proud of our team..

Live: Awards Night 2008

The polls are closed, the votes are counted. All that remains is to reveal who the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year is for 2008.The prestigious award will be one of several trophies presented to United players at a special evening on Sunday 11 May. The event is sold out but you can still watch it live thanks to MUTV and MUTV Online. will be free to air, meaning all cable and satellite TV viewers in the UK and Ireland can watch the ceremony without subscribing to the channel.subscribers will also be able to watch the presentations - the club's official broadband service will stream MUTV's coverage live on the night. are priced from just £3.50 per month.The Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year, Goal of the Season and Denzil Haroun Reserve Player of the Year have all been decided by fans voting on ManUtd.com between 1 and 30 April.Other awards being presented on the night will include the Players' Player of the Year and the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year.

Papers: Rooney to Return?

Roon’s fit for crunch
Wayne Rooney will be back to help Manchester United gun for the Premier League crown on Sunday. The Old Trafford star came through a tough session at their Carrington training ground yesterday and is available for the final-day trip to Wigan. Striker Roo was feared to have suffered a hernia, but a United insider said: “There was nothing Wayne could not do. He was whizzing around and flying into tackles. Not once did he wince. He’s a tough cookie and this is not going to keep him out.”
Phil Thomas, The Sun
The Sun also claim Nemanja Vidic has declared himself fit to face Wigan on Sunday after sitting out the Reds’ last two matches with concussion.In Moscow, the grass pitch, grown specifically to replace the artificial surface at the Luzhniki Stadium for the Champions League final, had to be ripped up almost as soon as it was laid, the Daily Mail reports. Another pitch has been bought from Slovakia at a cost of £160,000 and was hastily imported last week.In transfer news, the Daily Express claim Sir Alex has his eye on Dutch striker Klass-Jan Huntelaar. The 24-year-old currently plies his trade for Ajax in the Eredivisie.

The Reluctant Hero

While a host of jubilant United players stopped to address the world's media after Tuesday night's Champions League victory over Barcelona, there was no sign of match winner Paul Scholes.Having scored the tie-settling goal against the Catalan giants, the softly-spoken midfielder typically shunned the limelight and disappeared to be with his family after the final whistle.His team-mates, however, were more than happy to heap praise on Scholes, who now seems guaranteed to start a Champions League final after missing the 1999 final through suspension."You could see his reaction, it was a big relief for him," Mikael Silvestre told MUTV. "He wasn’t involved in ’99, but now he is taking the team with him to Moscow. It’s good for him, he fully deserves it. He is a great professional. He is a local lad so it means a lot to him."Scholes swung the tie in United's favour with a scorching 25-yard drive which faded into the top corner of Victor Valdes' goal, and his colleagues were far from surprised by the moment of brilliance."I was talking to Patrice Evra about Scholesy in training before the game," said Ji-sung Park. "He was unbelievable. We said that he would do something big in the game and he did.""It was a great goal, unbelievable," added Wes Brown. "I’m just glad it was Scholesy, he deserves it. He’s got us into the final."

Vidic Doubtful For Blues

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Nemanja Vidic is a major doubt for Saturday's Premier League showdown at Chelsea.The Serbian defender missed Wednesday night's draw in Barcelona with a stomach bug and, although he is on the road to recovery, Sir Alex is not hopeful of having Vidic available at Stamford Bridge."I think he’s doubtful, but we’ll do our best," the United manager told Sky Sports."He’s back at the hotel, he’s taking plenty of fluids, he had a bit of soup this afternoon for the first time in 36 hours – that’s promising, I suppose.Let’s hope we can get him there on Saturday morning – we’ve only got 72 hours to do that, but he’ll want to have a go. He’ll be desperate to play and if we do get him, it’ll be a bonus to us."Wes Brown deputised in central defence against the Catalans, with Owen Hargreaves excelling as a makeshift right-back.With Gerard Pique, John O'Shea, Gary Neville and Mikael Silvestre all fit, however, Sir Alex has no shortage of options if he opts to shuffle his pack.

Barcelona 0-0 ManUnited

Cristiano Ronaldo missed a second-minute penalty as United held Barcelona to a goalless draw in Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final, first leg.The Portuguese winger blazed wide from 12 yards after Gabriel Milito had been penalised for handball, while Michael Carrick smashed a shot into the side netting with the Reds’ best second-half opening.Samuel Eto’o wasted Barca’s best opportunity as a superb defensive display from Sir Alex Ferguson’s side neutralised the Catalans’ potent attack.The prudent nature of the first leg could well have been blown out of the water as early as the second minute, however, had Ronaldo converted a golden opportunity from the penalty spot.From a Wayne Rooney corner, Milito blocked Ronaldo’s diving header with his hands, and referee Massimo Busacca immediately awarded the spot kick.After lengthy protests from the home side, the Portuguese winger placed the ball on the spot, adopted his trademark stance, sidled up and sidefooted his effort off target.A huge let off for Barca, and a missed opportunity for United. Despite that glorious early opening, the game failed to descend into the anticipated slugfest where both sides would wantonly deploy their rich attacking arsenals.With the stakes so high, the two teams opted instead to remain at arm’s length. Barca cagily probed.

Boss Ready To Spend

United may be embroiled in a fascinating climax to the current campaign, but Sir Alex Ferguson is already planning to strengthen his squad for next season.The United manager has assembled a squad of sufficient strength in depth to challenge for the Premier League and Champions League this term, but he has earmarked areas which need further reinforcements."I don't need to spend, but I will," Sir Alex is quoted as saying in the News of the World. "I think there is an area where we are short and we can stock up on that a bit."It is not easy getting the best players here. But we have to because when you have a lot of quality in your squad you have to be absolutely correct on who you bring in."A player has a chance to come to a club like United and he would say 'that's my challenge to be in the team.' That's what good players do."Sir Alex brought in Owen Hargreaves, Carlos Tevez, Anderson and Nani last summer and, after the quartet's unquestionable success this season, the Scot admits he will have one eye on the future when he re-enters the transfer market."I don't think I will bring in as many as last season and if we buy players it will probably be young ones," he said. "This year Tevez, Hargreaves, Nani and Anderson have been really fantastic for us. Those four players have made a big contribution to our season."

Sir Alex and Queiroz Charged

Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson and his assistant, Carlos Queiroz, have been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association. The charges relate to comments made after United's 1-0 FA Cup defeat to Portsmouth at Old Trafford last month. United were aggrieved that referee Martin Atkinson did not award a penalty for what the Reds saw as a clear foul on Cristiano Ronaldo by Sylvain Distin. There were further fouls on Ronaldo that the United boss and his no.2 felt were not dealt with sufficiently by the officials. A statement on the FA's website said: "Ferguson's charge concerns comments about referee Martin Atkinson and PGMO General Manager Keith Hackett. Queiroz's charge relates to comments about referee Martin Atkinson." Sir Alex and Queiroz now have until 17 April to respond to the disciplinary charges.