Wayne Rooney hoping for derby return

Manchester United are waiting to discover whether Wayne Rooney will be back for the Manchester derby.

The England international is out with a severely gashed forehead, suffered when he was caught by team-mate Phil Jones’ boot in training, and is likely to miss Saturday’s Premier League game against Crystal Palace.

However, manager David Moyes said after the 1-0 defeat to Liverpool that he expected the striker to be out for three weeks and the trip to Manchester City falls exactly 21 days after the game at Anfield.

Rooney will reportedly return to training at the end of this week with the intention of facing City, if his wound has healed enough to allow him to head the ball.

The 27-year-old posted a picture of himself on his Facebook page, showing how deep the cut was, after being criticised for missing England’s World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine.

He said then: “Some people seem to be questioning my commitment and the fact I had to pull out of the two games. I’m sure people will see the reason why I won’t be able to play. There’s nothing I would like more than to be helping the lads in the qualifiers.”

United will also find out whether either of their two premier right-backs will be available to take on newly promoted Palace.

Rafael da Silva has been out since the Community Shield win over Wigan with a hamstring injury but is likely to return to training this week, while Jones suffered an ankle problem in the loss to Liverpool.

If both are out, Moyes faces a decision whether to pick Antonio Valencia, Chris Smalling or Fabio da Silva.

Son 'turned down Manchester United'

Heung-Min Son turned down Manchester United to join Bayer Leverkusen this summer, his agent has told Bild.

South Korea international Son made a €10 million switch from Hamburg to Champions League participants Bayer Leverkusen in June, despite having apparently attracted interest from English clubs including Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester City.

The 21-year-old’s agent, Thies Bliemeister, has now revealed that talks took place over a move to Old Trafford, with Bild reporting that Sir Alex Ferguson’s brother Martin -- who worked as the club’s chief European scout -- had been to watch Son on several occasions.

“Manchester United were also interested in him,” Bliemeister said. “We also held talks. Manchester also contacted HSV. The interest was a great honour for Son, but Leverkusen just made the best impression. And, as a transitional step, Bayer is ideal for his career.”

United, who face Leverkusen in the Champions League on Tuesday next week, endured a difficult summer in the transfer market, missing out on players including Cesc Fabregas, Thiago Alcantara, Daniele De Rossi, Sami Khedira and Ander Herrera.

Ferdinand stance criticised by PFA chief

The chairman of the Professional Footballers’ Association has criticised Rio and Anton Ferdinand for boycotting an anti-racism T-shirt demonstration.

The Manchester United defender and his brother chose to ignore the campaign launched by Kick It Out last October as they were unhappy that the punishments given to Chelsea’s John Terry, who was banned for four games, and Liverpool’s Luis Suarez, who was suspended for eight matches, after they were found guilty of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand and Patrice Evra respectively were too lenient.

But Clarke Carlisle said their actions damaged a group that is making attempts to end discrimination in football and accused them of "throwing a grenade" at the issue but refusing to commit their own time and efforts to help the cause. 

Carlisle wrote in his forthcoming autobiography, 'You Don't Know Me, But... A Footballer's Life’, which is being serialised in the Daily Mail: "It p****s me off that, rather than speaking out and addressing the topic, a few decide to do something as trivial as not wear a t-shirt, then melt back into the crowd.

"Rio and Anton Ferdinand were among a group of high-profile abstainers, along with Joleon Lescott, who has not worn one since Newcastle’s Turkish midfielder Emre was cleared of racially abusing his Everton team-mate Joseph Yobo, and Reading striker Jason Roberts.

"Jason apart, the Premier League ‘big’ players happily throw in a grenade, but do nothing when it explodes, nothing other than appear to hide behind their advisers. That’s because they are s***houses. They have made their ‘statement’ for all to see, but how many are prepared to stand in front of the cameras and be counted?"

Carlisle, who retired in the summer after playing for Blackpool, QPR, Leeds, Watford, Luton, Burnley, Preston, Northampton and York, was also annoyed that top black players refused to appear in a documentary he made, called ‘Is Football Racist?.’

And he said they were happier to criticise him for raising the issue rather than assist in the Kick It Out initiative, for which he is an ambassador.

He added: "The impression conveyed is that I have failed to get people to unite and support the cause. Not only that, I feel under attack from a group of players questioning my position and representation of them on the issue.

"This has really hurt me. Where the hell have they been for the past eight years, when I have seen the same faces at the anti-racism initiatives? I could count on my fingers the guys who have been to the KIO and Show Racism the Red Card workshops and meetings. It seems like they can’t be arsed to join in, because it’s inconvenient to attend on a day off or to contribute something after training. They will readily gun me down for giving my opinion on the subject, though."

Defiant Rio Ferdinand insists Manchester United can win it all this season

David Moyes' tenure at Old Trafford may not have got off to the best of starts, but the veteran defender believes they are still good enough to complete a clean sweep of trophies.

Rio Ferdinand insists Manchester United are capable of winning every competition they enter this season, in spite of Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure and a frustrating summer transfer window.

New boss David Moyes has endured an uneasy start to life at Old Trafford, picking up just one point from games against rivals Chelsea and Liverpool and seeing a number of high profile transfer targets slip through his fingers.

However, Ferdinand is adamant the champions still boast enough quality to challenge on all fronts this season, telling the Evening Standard: “We have got a strong enough squad to win everything.

“We won the league at a canter last season, and we have not become a bad team overnight. We believe strongly in what we have got.

“I would prefer it if nothing changed, and we could win the title easily again, but it is not that straightforward. There have been a lot of changes in personnel and managers at the top, and that will make it more interesting.

“Change is no bad thing. Sir Alex Ferguson used to say no one person is bigger than Manchester United, and that included himself, despite how big a personality he is.

“But we still have a burning ambition to win things. That never goes out or goes down. When you win, you kind of become a machine of wanting to win more.

“It is that DNA in ourselves and the club. That is just part and parcel of being a Manchester United footballer. You want it to be like last year, but equally it is good to fight for things, good to earn the right to win.

“There are four trophies, and I want all of them. We want to win everything. It is like Robin van Persie. He is a professional and has a hunger to win, and that is why he came to Manchester United.”

Nevertheless, the 34-year-old did admit to harbouring some concerns over Sir Alex’s replacement by Moyes in the dugout.

"It is natural to worry about things and wonder: 'Will the new manager like me or play me?'" he continued. 

"But everyone had that. We started with a clean slate and had the chance to impress him from the beginning of the season.

"He wants to continue the success we’ve had. He has a slightly different approach, with some different but very good people around him, with very much the same squad as last season. 

"So things have not changed hugely. We are moving forward in the same way, but with different ideas."

Nani pens five-year Manchester United contract

The 26-year-old's future looked in doubt over the summer but, with one year remaining on his current deal, the winger secures his stay at Old Trafford, signing until 2018.

Manchester United have announced that Portuguese winger Nani has signed a new five-year contract with the club.

Goal exclusively revealed in July that the 26-year-old would extend his stay at Old Trafford following talks with new manager David Moyes.

The wide-man has been at United since 2007 after signing from Sporting Lisbon and had one year remaining on his deal. 

Moyes told the club's official website: "I'm really pleased Nani has re-signed for the next five years. He has great ability and experience beyond his 26 years. 

"I've been impressed with his approach to training and look forward to working with him in the coming seasons."

Nani only featured in 10 Premier League games for Sir Alex Ferguson last campaign and his future had been under the spotlight as the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Monaco and Zenit St Petersburg looked to lure him away from the Premier League champions. 

However, the new contract will keep the Portugal international at Old Trafford until 2018 and Nani paid tribute to Moyes.

He added:"Playing at United has been a fantastic experience for me. When I came to the club, I never imagined the success we have enjoyed. 

"Training every day with top players who want to win trophies every year is a great motivation to me. I'm very happy that the new manager has shown this faith in me and I'm looking forward to helping the team compete for more honours this season."

Van Persie: It is great working with Moyes at Manchester United

The striker insists he is a big fan of the former Everton boss' style and methods, and revealed that the 50-year-old's approach has brought a "very good atmosphere" to the club.

Manchester United striker Robin van Persie says he is happy working with David Moyes at Old Trafford, despite reports to the contrary.

There have been suggestions that the 30-year-old striker is struggling to adapt to the new manager's training methods, and is not convinced that he is the right man to replace Sir Alex Ferguson - the key man behind the Dutchman's transfer to Old Trafford.

However, the Old Trafford star insists he is a fan of the former Everton boss' tactics, and revealed that the 50-year-old's approach has brought a "very good atmosphere" to the club.

"Its great working with the new manager David Moyes. He has his own style and methods and I like these," he told De Telegraaf.

"We have worked very hard from the day we started our tour to Asia and Australia. This will result in good matches, that's for sure. There is a very good atmosphere at the club.

"I'm happy with the style of Moyes. He does his own training sessions, he's close with the players and, with his staff, prepares us very well for the next opponent. That keeps us in shape. Luckily, winning the title last year gave us hunger for more."

Van Persie scored twice in a 4-1 win against Swansea on the opening day of the 2013-14 season, but struggled in the 0-0 draw with Chelsea and was in danger of being dismissed in the 1-0 defeat to Liverpool after a confrontation with Steven Gerrard.

Moyes has endured a challenging start to life at Old Trafford - a difficult fixture list has only yielded four points from three games, and the club is set to hold an internal inquest into a disappointing summer transfer window with Marouane Fellaini the only big-name signing on a farcical deadline day.

Manchester United need a director of football, says Comolli

The former Liverpool chief says the Premier League champions' frustrating summer is due to the club's lack of planning for the departures of Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill

Manchester United need a director of football after a difficult summer transfer window, according to former Liverpool and Tottenham transfer chief Damien Comolli.

The Premier League champions are set to launch an internal inquest after David Moyes and new chief executive Ed Woodward missed out on a number of high-profile targets, and only landed Marouane Fellaini late on deadline day for an inflated £27.5 million fee.

Comolli believes the loss of Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill in the same summer has had a huge impact at Old Trafford, and says the club have paid a high price for a lack of forward planning.

"The issue for Manchester United is that the two most important people at the club in Sir Alex [Ferguson] and David Gill left their positions and new people came in for their first transfer window," Comolli told BBC Radio 5.

"If there was a club in need of a director of football to ease the process for both individuals [Moyes and Woodward] it was Manchester United.

"David [Moyes] only joined on July 1 which was quite late. For some reason the club weren't prepared or they didn't think it would be that difficult and they ended up in a difficult situation."

United only managed to bring in Guillermo Varela from Atletico Penarol and Fellaini, and missed out on a host of targets including Thiago, Cesc Fagregas, Ander Herrera, Fabio Coentrao and Sami Khedira.

Comelli signed Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Dimitar Berbatov while at Tottenham, but was also behind Liverpool's underwhelming 2011 transfer season when they lavishly spent on Craig Bellamy, Jordan Henderson, Stewart Downing and Sebastian Coates, as well as the flop signing of Andy Carroll the period before.

Carrick welcomes Fellaini competition at Manchester United

The England international is happy to see the £25.7 million Belgian join the Red Devils, seeing the move only as an incentive to work harder to retain his first-team place

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick insists that he is not threatened by Marouane Fellaini's £27.5 million move to Old Trafford from Everton.

The 32-year-old could face direct competition for his first-team spot from the versatile Belgium international, who was reunited with former boss David Moyes on deadline day, but believes that the challenge will only serve to help him improve.

"The more top-quality players you have in your squad, whether it's in my position or not, the better it is for the team," Carrick told the press.

"It's not a case of me thinking: 'I might not be in the team', I will still have to play well to be in it regardless."

Carrick started in 34 of United's 38 Premier League games last season as Sir Alex Ferguson guided the club to the title before retiring in what the former West Ham and Tottenham man dubbed the "best" campaign of his career.

But the England international refuses to see Fellaini's arrival as any sort of indication that his time in the first team might be coming towards its end.

"I can't deny last season probably was my best one," he added.

"There's no reason why I would be thinking of packing up any time soon.

"You never know what's around the corner but I wouldn't say it was going to be my last one."

Manchester United's Herrera move collapses

The Premier League champions were unwilling to meet the Athletic Bilbao star's £ 31 million release clause Sulawesi negotiations late on transfer deadline day

Manchester United's deadline day move to sign Ander Herrera from Athletic Bilbao after it failed the Premier League champions failed to meet the midfielder's release clause.

Goal understands that's United attempted to offer below the £ 31m clause in the 24-year-old's contract on Monday, but saw are solely for approach rebuffed by the Basque outfit.

Sources close to the Premier League champions have Revealed that's United were confident of securing a deal for the Spain Under-21 international with only hours of the transfer window Remaining.

However, the United Officials were unwilling to meet the crucial question in Herrera's contract clause Sulawesi late negotiations with Athletic, Despite the midfielder Having privately made ​​clear his desire to move to Old Trafford.

The League side's chairman, Josu Urrutia, Confirmed that's United bid limit for Herrera on Friday, but the £ 25.5m offer was rejected out of hand and the Red Devils have since failed to reach an agreement.

"Our club is Different, it Bases itself on sentiment. Our goal is not to make money. Athletic We Consider a unique club and the players have to think like that," Urrutia said last week.

    

"We received the proposal [Thursday] night and we said that's we do not negotiate for our players. For a player to leave, first he has to show he that's Wants to leave the club Then deposit the clause."

The Premier League champions may have struggled to agree a fee for the Spaniards, but Everton's Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini is set to move to Old Trafford.

Manchester United winger Bebe joins Pacos de Ferreira on loan

The out-of-favor former Portugal Under-21 international is heading back to his homeland on a temporary deal while Davide Petrucci has completed a switch to Royal Antwerp

Pacos de Ferreira have Confirmed for hire have completed the loan signing of Bebe from Manchester United.

The Portuguese Winger joins the club on a temporary deal for the remainder of the 2013-14 campaign Having struggled to break into the first-team set-up under David Moyes, and previous manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Bebe joined Manchester United from Vitoria de Guimaraes Although back in 2010 has managed a total of only seven appearances for the club in three years, and spent the last campaign on loan at Rio Ave.

Pacos de Ferreira are Currently 14th in the Portuguese Primeira Liga Having lost are solely for opening three games of the season, while the club were also knocked out of the Champions League at the play-off round by Zenit Following an 8-3 aggregate scoreline.

Bebe is not the only fringe players to leave Old Trafford on loan on deadline day, with Championship outfit Wigan Athletic completing a switch for England Under-21 star Nick Powell, while Davide Petrucci has sealed a move to Royal Antwerp.

Manchester United sign Fellaini from Everton

The reigning Premier League champions have made ​​the first and significant are solely for purchase of the window, bringing the 25-year-old midfielder to the club afterwards agreeing a £ 27.5 million fee

Manchester United have completed the signing of Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini on a long-term deal, the Merseysiders have Confirmed.

The Belgian heads to Old Trafford for a £ 27.5 million fee, where he is Reunited with former manager David Moyes.

Fellaini submited a transfer request in the evening to waive any loyalty-bonus payment in order to ease the move and now, with Wigan's James McCarthy and Manchester City's Gareth Barry also Confirmed at Goodison Park, the transfer has been pushed through.

United limitations also hoped to sign Leighton Baines from Moyes's former club but the Toffees are solely for Advances rebuffed throughout the summer, with the Premier League champions never meeting are solely for £ 20m valuation of the left-back.

The Red Devils' other midfielder on deadline day target, Athletic Bilbao's Ander Herrera, did not make the move, however, as United failed to meet the Basque's release clause.