Valencia Close To United Deal??

Sky Sports News sources understand that Antonio Valencia could complete his switch from Wigan to Manchester United on Monday.

United are said to be close to completing the £16million deal with the Red Devils keen to replace the huge void left by the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid.

The 23-year-old is believed to be in Manchester undergoing a medical and the completion of the move is said to be imminent.

The Latics are set to make a massive profit on the winger after signing him on a permanent deal from Villarreal in January 2008 for a fee believed to be around £3million after enjoying 18 months on loan at the JJB Stadium.

The Ecuador international is unlikely to score as many goals as his Portuguese predecessor with just seven strikes in 89 appearances for the Latics.

However, his ability is not in doubt after three successful seasons in the Premier League.

Despite the big-money transfer it remains to be seen whether Valencia will handed the legendary number seven shirt at Old Trafford.

Rooney: I Will Bear The Burden

As Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez prepare to leave the club, Wayne Rooney is confident he can step up to the plate and become United's most potent goalscoring force.

The firebrand forward is keen for the Reds to bring in some fresh faces to replace the departing duo, but he is well aware that each existing member of the squad will have to contribute more goals in order to prolong the phenomenal success of recent seasons.

“We’ve lost two key players and obviously I hope we can get a few players in,” Rooney told The Times. “Between them Cristiano and Carlos scored a lot of goals for us last season and the season before, but I would like to think I’m capable of filling that gap.

"Cristiano is such a talent, he can score from anywhere, so you try to accommodate him. As a team, we accommodated him because we knew he could win matches for us. Now he has gone, we will have to score more goals between us. But I feel like I’m capable of scoring a lot of goals. If I can play in my right position, I’m capable of doing that."

Rooney occupied a berth on either flank of United's revolving attack in the latter stages of last season, most notably the Champions League semi-finals and final, and he is keen to operate in a more central role now that the Reds' attack is ready for a reshuffle.

“I want to play in the position where I feel I’m best," he said. "A lot of people think I’m best as a centre forward. To play in a Champions League final and to play week in, week out for Manchester United is a privilege and it’s something I’m very lucky to be doing, but I don’t think playing on the wing I can express myself as much as I like to.”

Ronaldo Sale Set For Completion

Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo is on the verge of completing his £80 million switch to Real Madrid after the two clubs reached a final agreement.

The World Player of the Year is now set to move to the Spanish giants on a six-year contract, with the sale due to be completed on 1st July.

He will then be officially unveiled as a Real player on 6th July at the Bernabeu stadium in the Spanish capital.

The Primera Liga club said in a statement on their official website: "Real Madrid and Manchester United have signed the final agreement for the transfer of the rights of the player Cristiano Ronaldo, effective 1st July.

"The player will remain at Real Madrid for the next six seasons and will be presented on 6th July at the Bernabeu stadium."

United also confirmed the agreement on their website, saying: "Cristiano Ronaldo's departure is all but done and dusted after Real Madrid and Manchester United finalised the agreement for his transfer on Friday evening.

"The Portuguese winger was the subject of a world-record £80million offer from the Spanish club on Thursday 11th June.

"He has since been on holiday but a return to work with new employers now beckons, with the sale set to be completed on Wednesday 1st July.

"United have made no further comment, other than to confirm the finalisation."

New Home Kit

United's new home kit for the 2009/10 campaign has been officially unveiled and you can now see it in all its glory in our special gallery on ManUtd.com.

The red kit, which can be pre-ordered online now, celebrates 100 years of Old Trafford with a large chevron across the chest, reflecting the design of the shirts worn by United when the stadium first opened during the 1909/10 season.

The back of the shirt has an engineered mesh, which is a series of small chevrons, a performance feature to offer the players even greater ventilation during games. Inside the black round-neck collar is a high quality woven label in red, white and black, while engineered into the side seam is a small label that reads ‘The Theatre of Dreams Since 1910.’

The shirt is made from Nike Dri-Fit fabric, which keeps the players drier, cooler and lighter by drawing sweat from the body to the fabric’s surface, while it’s three-dimensional construction gives more air space around the skin to reduce clinging.

The white shorts have a red stripe along the side, a red devil graphic on the back of the waist band, while the draw cords feature 'MUFC' on the tips. The black socks have a red chevron on the calf.

The players will don the kit for the first time during their pre-season tour of Asia next month. The squad fly out to the Far East on 16 July - the day the kit goes on sale and on which pre-orders will be delivered.

Wayne Rooney says it's an honour to wear the shirt week in, week out and is looking forward to pulling on the latest design.

"It's always exciting to see the new kit," he told ManUtd.com. "It's important that we like it and get used to it before the season starts [on tour]. I'm really excited about playing in it."

Ji-sung Park echoed those sentiments, adding: "It always feels great to put the kit on and there is always a great meaning behind our

I really like the chevron feature – I like to think of it as ‘V’ for victory and hopefully we can win every game we play in the new kit."

Edwin van der Sar poses in the new goalkeeping attire

Patrice Evra says it's always a privilege to pull on the red shirt

Ben Foster always has a special feeling whenever he plays in the kit

Rio Ferdinand says the club's history, as recognised in the new kit, acts as an inspiration to the players

No Contact Over Aguero

The agent of Sergio Aguero maintains that he has not been contacted by Manchester United regarding the Atletico Madrid star.

Rumour has suggested the Premier League champions are set to use some of the profits from the forthcoming sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid to sign the Argentine.

Inter Milan, Barcelona and Chelsea have also been linked with Aguero but his representative, Jose Segui, insists he has yet to be approached.

"I have no information about this offer from Manchester United," Segui told Calciomercato.it. "I have not been contacted by anyone, nor by other teams.

"Inter? I have not had any conversations with them. Honestly, I don't know if Atletico have met other clubs."

Tevez: Berba Was The End

Carlos Tevez remains uncertain where he will be playing next season, but claims he knew his days were numbered at Manchester United when Dimitar Berbatov arrived.

The Argentina international will join a new club ahead of the next season after rejecting a five-year contract with United, having spent the past two seasons on loan at Old Trafford.

Manchester City and Chelsea are understood to be admirers of the 25-year-old, but it remains unclear where he will start the new campaign.

Tevez, though, insists he was certain he would not stay with United following the signing of former Tottenham star Berbatov last summer.

"I am not sure where I am going to play, but I know for sure that it will not be at Manchester (United)," Tevez told TyC Sports.

"I did not feel supported after they signed Berbatov, because I was the man for the job he was bought to do.

"Ferguson told me not to be worried about Berbatov's arrival, but I did not like it when he started to put me on the bench often. I gave my life for the Manchester United shirt."

Fergie's £45m Sergio Swoop?

Manchester United have targeted Atletico Madrid’s £45m striker Sergio Aguero.

Sir Alex Ferguson has turned his sights on the young Argentine star after giving up on Valencia’s David Villa, who is expected to join Real Madrid.

Aguero – nicknamed Kun – has scored 37 league goals in the last two years for Atletico and is only still 21. Chelsea have already made contact over the talented striker, but were put off by his £200,000-a-week wage demands.

United would be prepared to offer Aguero, who is married to Diego Maradona’s daughter, a five-year deal at £120,000 a week, but again hope the lure of Old Trafford would be enough to attract him.

Atletico’s president Enrique Cerezo has made it clear recently that the club would be willing to listen to ‘interesting’ offers for their star player.
- Danny Fullbrook, Daily Star -

Ex-Reds' Regrets As Carlos Quits

Former United players Lou Macari and Clayton Blackmore have voiced their dismay at Carlos Tevez's departure - and the motives for his move.

Ex-midfielder Macari, now a respected pundit for MUTV, said on Saturday: "I'm disappointed that Carlos Tevez won't be playing at Manchester United next season.

"I think he would have been a regular in the team next season had he stayed. Ronaldo's going, so Tevez would be needed."

Reds legend Lou supports the efforts made by his former club to keep Carlos.

"I don't think United could have done any more," he said.

"Tevez was offered a five-year contract and five years is a long time to commit to any player, but I think that was in recognition of what he did last season, both when he started games and when he came on as a sub.

"He was a well-liked player at Old Trafford and it will be a big loss to everyone."

Although clearly an admirer of Tevez's playing talents, Lou seems less than convinced by the reasons given for his decision.

"One of those excuses we hear when a player moves on is, 'I want to play regular club football because I want to play for my national team.' But Carlos is still going to be a regular for Argentina even if he's only playing every so often for United.

"It's simple nowadays - if a player or his agent don't want him to sign for a certain club, then they don't sign. It's rather surprising because Carlos Tevez couldn't get a better club than Manchester United. But I think we're in a day and age when the size and stature of a club isn't the main reason why a player signs or doesn't sign.

"It's advisors, it's money, it's all the wrong reasons. Carlos Tevez has been fantastic for United but he and his agent have decided to move on, and move on they will."

Another ex-player and MUTV pundit agreed with Macari on the motivation for Tevez's move. Clayton Blackmore said:

"I think it's money. It might be due a little bit to his name not being first on the team-sheet, but very few players are guaranteed a start at United and I would put it more down to money.

"I don't think it was in his hands, I think he would have been happy with what he was offered. I think it's the people in charge of him (his representatives) who were the problem.

"I felt the writing was on the wall when I saw his body language at the end of the season and the interview he gave after the final home game against Arsenal. So I'm not too surprised; I was more surprised when Ronaldo left.

"We're going to miss Tevez's work-rate and he is a great finisher. But I'm sure the manager will have someone up his sleeve and he'll come up trumps again."

Clayton Blackmore and Lou Macari were speaking to Sky Sports News.

Tevez Leaving United

Manchester United have confirmed that Carlos Tevez is leaving the club.

United were willing to pay the £25.5m to turn the striker's two-year loan move into a permanent five-year deal but Tevez, 25, has decided to move on.

"Disappointingly, his advisors informed the club that he does not wish to continue playing for Manchester United," read a United statement.

"The club thanks Carlos for his services over the last two seasons and wishes him good luck for the future."

Tevez became a crowd favourite during his time at the Old Trafford club and helped the side win the last two Premier League titles, the 2008 Champions League trophy as well as last season's Carling Cup.

But he has joined Cristiano Ronaldo in wanting to exit the club, with his final appearance being as a substitute in United's loss to Barcelona in the 2009 Champions League final.

United said they were willing to make Tevez "one of its highest paid players" but were told by the Argentine international's advisors, who own the player's economic rights, that he would not be accepting the offer.

The forward's advsier, Kia Joorabchian, said: "During the last two years he wasn't really offered a contract. He had never been offered a permanent stay there and over the last 10 days Manchester United did make an offer to him.

"I just want to make it very clear that Carlos has never asked for any money. He has never asked for an increase in his salary and we never asked for a greater sum of money.

"Its purely that they needed an answer in a very short amount of time and Carlos needed a bit more time to think about it so the decision was made that everyone walks their own way."

Manchester City and Chelsea now appear to be the two main clubs vying for Tevez, who - according to Joorabchian - is unlikely to move to Liverpool because of their intense rivalry with United.

City are flexing their financial clout as their manager Mark Hughes tries to put together a squad capable of challenging the top four of United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal.

"We've held discussions with some of the interested parties over the last week and the fact is that Carlos will not make any decision until the first week of July," Joorabchian told BBC Five Live.

"This is a very important decision for him. He is deciding on the future of the next five years.
"This is purely and simply his personal decision. It will not be anyone else's decision. It will not be mine or other parties involved.

"He has to sign the next five years with a club he believes has got ambition to go forward in the Premier league, a club with history and one that really wants to achieve things.

"Carlos does not want to go to Liverpool because of their competitive nature with Manchester United. He does love the United fans very much and has a lot of respect for them.

"I think that if you look at Carlos's history, he has always gone into grassroots clubs like Boca Juniors and Corinthians, who had not won anything and were at the bottom of the league when he joined them and he won the title with them in his first season."

Joorabchian added: "Manchester City is one club and Chelsea is another and there are also others as well.

"I think it will come down to what Carlos feels is the best club for him. He'll make a decision on which club has the biggest ambition, who he feels has the strength to go to the next level.

"City, Chelsea and most of the clubs have shown that they have that ambition. He will evaluate what he feels is the next big challenge in his life. Carlos has always loved big challenges."

Tevez scored 15 goals last season but was frustrated at continually finding himself on the bench for key games and was wary of the issue ahead of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Despite the affection of United's fans, he has reportedly complained of a lack of respect from the club and his treatment at their hands.

Joorabchian recently explained that United's failure to sign his client up permanently last summer and in January 2009 were behind Tevez's complaints.

And he added: "If Carlos had been offered a contract six months ago at United he wouldn't have hesitated [to sign it]," he said.

His departure now leaves United manager Sir Alex Ferguson without two of his most influential players of recent seasons.

Wigan midfielder Antonio Valencia has been linked with a move to United as the club try to replace the duo.

Reds Team Up With China's Aigo

United have signed an exciting new five-year partnership with aigo, the leading high-tech electronics brand from Beijing Huaqi Information Digital Technology Co. Ltd.

The deal means aigo is now United's official camera, multimedia player and storage device partner.

Reds legend Sir Bobby Charlton and director of commercial Richard Arnold announced the deal at a press conference in Beijing today (Thursday).

It gives aigo exclusive global rights to promote aigo and aigoMusic brands via the Manchester United platform, and produce and distribute co-branded cameras, multimedia players, storage devices products globally. The deal also enables aigo to produce and distribute co-branded mobile phone handsets in China.

As part of the agreement, aigo will become the official title sponsor of United’s game in Hangzhou, China, during the Reds' Asia Tour in July.

United chief executive David Gill welcomed the deal, saying: "This deal is a further demonstration of the global appeal of Manchester United. Aigo is a leader in its field and we are very excited about the possibilities that this partnership opens up. The tour match will offer our fans in China their first chance to see the partnership in action."

New Signings 'Will Be Worthy'

Sir Bobby Charlton is confident that Sir Alex Ferguson will make the right signings to compensate for Cristiano Ronaldo's impending departure.

The Portuguese winger is set to join Real Madrid for a staggering £80million, prompting a whirlwind of speculation over who will be replacing him.

Speaking at a press conference in China to launch United's sponsorship deal with aigo, Sir Bobby said: "I'll have to leave that (deciding how to replace Ronaldo) to Alex Ferguson. "He is a great judge of a player, he's very brave with his decisions, he's very decisive with his decisions and that's why he's been a great success. Who the players will be I don't know, but they will be worthy of putting on the shirt for Manchester United."

Charlton concedes that there was little point in trying to coax Ronaldo away from his childhood dream of joining Real, although he feels that hindsight may show the winger that his best days of his career were at Old Trafford.

"He is a great player," he said. "He's been with us for five or six years and in that time he has improved beyond all recognition. I suppose, in time, he will reflect, and say that the best time he ever had in football was when he was at Manchester United. It was better for him and it was fantastic for the club.

"But we have no divine rights, we talked him out of it for one year but he's gone and we move on. Ronaldo leaves us because as a young boy he always dreamt about playing for Real Madrid, so if he leaves us, it's with our blessing.

"It's a lot of money, but it's a little bit soul-searching. You never know if you've made the right decision until the start of the season. It's an enormous amount. We will make sure we will use it properly and our club will be better for it."

Premier League 2009/10 Fixture List: Champions To Face New Boys First

United will kick off the 2009/10 Barclays Premier League season by facing newly-promoted teams in the first two games.

Birmingham City come to Old Trafford on the campaign's opening weekend, before the champions visit fellow North West side Burnley in midweek.

The Reds then travel to Wigan, before a potentially tougher run brings home matches against Arsenal and Manchester City either side of a visit to Harry Redknapp's Tottenham.ManUtd.com readers said games against Liverpool are the ones to scan for first when the fixtures are announced - United travel to Anfield on 24 October, before entertaining Rafael Benitez's men at Old Trafford on 20 March.

* Subject to changes

Fergie To make British Record Bid For Villa?

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is making a British record £45million bid for Valencia striker David Villa.

Ferguson will take on Real Madrid for the signature of the Spanish star who will be sold by his cash-strapped club. Villa has been on the United manager’s radar for several years and now he has the money from the £80m sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real to fight them for Villa.

Ferguson has been given a £100m war chest – the whole £80m from the Ronaldo transfer plus £20m extra. Fergie’s priorities are a proven scorer like Villa and a right-wing replacement for the Portuguese star, Wigan’s Luis Antonio Valencia.

Villa will definitely be sold by his club, with Real boasting they should land him this week. But Ferguson has already started his moves to beat them to it. Chelsea tried for Villa last week but were told he was going to Madrid. But Fergie won’t be put off and he has the financial muscle to back it up.

The United chief thinks he can win the race for Villa if he can pitch the right case to him, backed up by cash. He is masterminding the move from his South of France holiday base.
- Alan Nixon, Daily Mirror -

Ronaldo Transfer: Queiroz Warning Over Real

Ronaldo is due to complete his world record move to Real before the end of June after Ferguson’s decision last week to sell the World Footballer of the Year. After attempting to sign Ronaldo in 2006 and 2008, Real have now succeeded in luring the Portuguese from Old Trafford. Ferguson admitted yesterday that he “simply wanted to leave”.

But Queiroz, who forged a close relationship with Ronaldo during his four years as Ferguson’s assistant prior to his departure for the Portugal job last summer, believes that the player is leaving behind the best environment for his career by moving to Madrid.

Queiroz, who managed Real during the 2003-04 season, said: “Manchester United was the right club for him. But at the end of the day, the player has made a decision and United have had a great relationship with him because they have had the best of his performances for the last six years. Cristiano believes it is time to move and the fee is huge, but he has won all the trophies and become the best player in the world in a United shirt.”

Pictures of Ronaldo with the American socialite Paris Hilton during his holiday in Los Angeles have added to the perception that the player is developing a taste for the celebrity lifestyle.

Having managed Real during the first “galacticos” era, Queiroz admits that the Spanish club must avoid celebrity overshadowing the football. Queiroz said: “At Real, those things can happen easily. But I am sure that [Real president] Florentino Perez will learn from the mistakes of a few years ago, when the players were too committed to advertising and compromised by deals outside the pitch.

“When you put together players like Beckham, Zidane, Figo and Roberto Carlos, the challenge is huge and, with Ronaldo and Kaka, I’m sure these things will come up again.”

United’s hopes of replacing Ronaldo with the Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery have suffered another blow with Real confirming their interest in him.

Bayern have warned that it will take “crazy” money to buy Ribery but Real sporting director Zinedine Zidane admits that he is keen to complete a deal.

Carlos Tevez, meanwhile, has told Ferguson that he has no plans to return to United despite the club’s efforts to stop him leaving. Manchester City are tempting Tevez with a 75 per cent pay rise or £140,000 a week, while Chelsea and Liverpool are also interested.

Douglas Back On United Agenda

Manchester United could be ready to make a swoop for Brazilian sensation Douglas Costa, his agent has confirmed.

The Red Devils have been tracking Costa for nearly two years after their South American scouring network highlighted his potential.

Now 18, the Gremio starlet is again under consideration by United, who feel he could help fill the void soon to be left by Cristiano Ronaldo's departure to Real Madrid.

Costa has also been tracked by the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan over the past 18 months, and Gremio managed to tie him to a big four-year deal.

But they are unlikely to stand in his way and the young forward's agent has confirmed that United have rekindled their interest in the wake of Ronaldo's transfer.

"They [Manchester United] have identified four or five possible replacements for Cristiano Ronaldo in the world, and Douglas is one of them," agent Cesar Bottega told Radio Gaucha.

"We have been contacted by several clubs some time ago, including Manchester [United], but by South American ones as well."

Fergie To Snap Up David Silva??

Sir Alex Ferguson will soften the blow of Cristiano Ronaldo's £80 million sale to Real Madrid by snapping up Valencia star David Silva.

I understand Manchester United boss Ferguson has urged his chief executive David Gill to tie up a £24million deal having tracked the 23-year-old Spain winger all season.

Silva topped United's hit-list even BEFORE Ronaldo was given permission to join Madrid last week. United's scouts have watched Silva since December and Fergie has been impressed with the feedback on a versatile player who can play on either flank or as a second striker.

Silva's clubmate David Villa is also on United's radar - but sources in Spain are convinced he will join Real Madrid's circus of stars in a £40m deal.

Cash-strapped Valencia will fight to keep both players but a combined pot of £64m will be difficult for them to resist.

Fergie, who is on holiday in the south of France, is juggling other transfer targets with 21-year-old Lyon striker Karim Benzema a long-standing favourite.

But Lyon last night warned United they plan to hold on to the £35m-rated star for another year.

Bernard Lacombe, the club's transfer adviser, said: "Our idea is to keep Karim for another season.You can never say never but Lyon's fax machine is not overheating."

Antonia Valencia is another winger Fergie covets but he views Wigan's £18m asking price as too high.

The same applies to Bayern Munich's £65m valuation of 26-year-old Franck Ribery who cost them £22m two years ago.

One deal Fergie will hope to pull off is the £4m signing of Feyenoord's 17-year-old Luc Castaignos.

Fergie's spies have been on his trail for months and he has now made an offer.

Vucinic Shrugs Off United Talk

Mirko Vucinic has reiterated his desire to stay at Roma amid strong reports linking him with Manchester United.

The talented striker has emerged as a possible target for Sir Alex Ferguson as he begins his search to replace Real Madrid-bound Cristiano Ronaldo.

Reports in Italy suggest informal contact has been made between the clubs for the Montenegro forward but Vucinic, who recently signed a new four-year deal, is happy to stay at the capital club.

"It's certainly pleasing that a great club like that are interested in me," he told Corriere dello Sport. "But I have only heard about it from the newspapers.

"At the moment I'm only thinking about relaxing by the seaside with my family.

"I've just signed a new contract and I'd like to stay at Roma."

Roma reportedly refused a €22million offer from United last summer for Vucinic but, knowing they have to sell to buy, could accept €25million for the 25-year-old.

Nani: I Will Step Up

As United are linked with a host of new signings to replace the outgoing Cristiano Ronaldo, Reds winger Nani is confident of rediscovering his best form and showing his true value.

The former Sporting Lisbon winger is certain Ronaldo will be a success at the Santiago Bernabeu, and he is similarly confident of stepping up to the plate in his countryman's absence.

"He has been doing an excellent job so I think he deserves it," Nani told Portuguese news agency IOL. "It is a fantastic amount, excellent and fair value for what he has done. Real Madrid are a great club and will be good for him.

"I think I can have more opportunities now. Cristiano was very important to Manchester but now I can show my value and they will gamble more on me."

Nani struggled to replicate the impressive form of his maiden campaign last term, but has still made 72 appearances and scored 10 goals since arriving from Portugal in the summer of 2007.

Reactions To Real's Ronaldo offer

After months of speculation, Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo finally looks to be on his way to Real Madrid for a fee of £80m.

Despite Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson vehemently denying he would sell the Portuguese star to Madrid every time a rumour surfaced, Real president Florentino Perez has come up with an offer that was just too good to resist as he looks to assemble the "galacticos" mark two.

Here is a round-up of reactions to the world record-breaking transfer.

TOMMY DOCHERTY, FORMER MAN UTD MANAGER
"When you fall out with Sir Alex, whatever may be the reasons - David Beckham did it as well with the entourage he carried with him - they're on their way.

"You can't have this disharmony brought upon the players and the club every year and I think United - £80m - cut their hands off and give Real Madrid the problem of handling Ronaldo from now on in.

"Man United are the biggest club in the world: talk about Real Madrid and Barcelona. No, when you leave Man United you go downhill."

PORTUGAL AND MAN UTD TEAM-MATE NANI
"Cristiano's departure is not impossible to fix.

"He will be missed but United have other players who can replace him."

FORMER MAN UTD PLAYER PADDY CRERAND
"My reaction is disappointment more than anything because he's a great, great player - this situation of 'is he or isn't he?' has been going on for last 12 months. I honestly thought he'd stay there as long as the manager would but it hasn't worked out that way, he obviously wants to go.

"He's a great player - there's a lot of jealousy out there about great players and about Manchester United being successful so that comes into it, there's not many foreign players in England who don't do the occasional dive but he's a fantastic player.

"I never thought for one moment that he'd leave, I thought he might have stayed for another couple of years, it's a great disappointment."

ANDY MITTEN, UNITED WE STAND FANZINE EDITOR
"History will remember him very well in terms of his contribution as a footballer - he'll also be seen as petulant, egotistical and stubborn but he's been a wonderful player.

"We'll make a lot money out of him, the club is not going to die. When David Beckham left it was because the club wanted to sell him.

"I think Sir Alex Ferguson has been very clever, he has resources to replace Ronaldo and he doesn't see Madrid as a great threat - it's another stage in the history of Manchester United, we've got a brilliant manager, which is more important than a very talented winger."

FORMER MANCHESTER UNITED PLAYER ARTHUR ALBISTON
"I don't think they can turn it down. The only problem the manager has got is to find someone to replace Cristiano, given the number of goals he has scored.

"When Ruud van Nistelrooy left, people said the manager did not know what he is doing but Ronaldo stepped up to the plate.

"Whether this might allow them to sign Carlos Tevez now and still have money left in the kitty to get other players... the manager will not have his head buried in the sand. He will be looking and scouring the market worldwide."

MAN UTD SUPPORTERS TRUST CHIEF DUNCAN DRASDO
"We are calling upon the owners to make a statement of intent that all incoming transfer funds will be made available to Sir Alex Ferguson to allow the manager to strengthen the squad.

"With the expected £25-30m annual spend and other potential transfers (such as Fraizer Campbell) this should amount to at least £115m.

"There will be a spotlight shining on Manchester United transfer activity this summer to ensure the manager is given the resources he requires and that this money stays in the club."

SPORTS MINISTER AND MAN UTD FAN GERRY SUTCLIFFE
"If a player wants to go you've got to let him go but it's great business for the club; they bought him for £12m and they've sold him now for £80m.

"We saw Madrid spend £59m on Kaka from AC Milan just recently and that's why we've written to the Premier League and to the Football Association - and we are concerned about the sustainability of the game.

"They are big businesses now and this type of money is around but we've got to make sure that there's a link and there's a sustainability for this because we don't want to see clubs go to the wall."

UEFA PRESIDENT MICHEL PLATINI
"These excessive transfers are happening almost every day.

"These transfers are a serious challenge to the idea of fair play and the concept of financial balance in our competitions."

PRIME MINISTER GORDON BROWN
"He's one of the most brilliant players in the world. I think people will be sad that he's lost to the game in England.

"At the same time, I know Sir Alex Ferguson well, and I know he'll have plans that will be rebuilding and renewing his team. And I would expect that Manchester United and English football will emerge not weaker, but emerge in a new way and probably stronger in the long run".

Record Ronaldo Bid Accepted

Manchester United have received a world-record, unconditional offer of £80million for Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid.

At the request of Cristiano - who has again expressed his desire to leave - and after discussion with the player's representatives, United have agreed to give Real Madrid permission to talk to the player.

Matters are expected to be concluded by 30 June. The club will not comment until further notice.

Rio's Triple Joy

In this month's celebratory issue of Inside United, Rio Ferdinand looks back over another memorable and successful campaign...

How does it feel to have won a hat-trick of league titles?
It’s a phenomenal achievement and it feels unbelievable to have done it. There were a lot of big games during the last few weeks of the season and we kept getting closer with every match. But until you get your hands on the trophy, it’s never completely over. Thankfully it is now and we’re champions again which is a great feeling.

Was there an extra edge to the title race because Liverpool were in the hunt?
Yes, it’s been a bit more intense because it’s a lot closer to home than when it’s Chelsea or Arsenal; suddenly everywhere you go there’s a Liverpool fan! You get a bit of respite when it’s one of the London clubs, but because we’re such close neighbours up here there’s always something being said. And, of course, the rivalry between the clubs goes back a long way.

United got off to a mixed start to the season with just two wins from the first five games. Why was that?
I don’t know to be honest, it’s a strange one. It just took us a while to get going. Sometimes you can’t put your finger on why you have periods like that but at some point in the season you’re going to have a low point and we had one at the start.

The victories at Man City and at home to Sunderland before you went to Japan were big as they kept you in touch with the leaders…
Yeah they were very important because making sure we were still close to them before we went to Japan was a big priority of ours. If we hadn’t have won those games it would have been very tough. We wanted to make sure we left ourselves in the best possible position so that if anyone slipped up while we were away we could come back and strike, and that’s exactly what we did.

After winning the Club World Cup you said "people would now see the real United". Did that victory kick-start the season?
It was definitely a big turning point. When you’re really in the thick of the English season playing two games a week, week in, week out you sometimes can’t focus properly or see where you’re aiming for. Going to Japan allowed us to take a step back and refocus and, by coming home with the trophy, we got that winning feeling back which was important. Being called a world champion is a great feeling and it’s an achievement we’re very proud of. The fact that other teams hadn’t really taken advantage of us being away was another incentive to make sure we went on a good run and thankfully we did.

You returned with a hard-fought victory at Stoke City on Boxing Day which the manager singled out as a massive result…
Yeah definitely. It proved to be a hard place to go for everyone and to get a result there in our first game back really was the kick-start to our great run.

As well as being a winning run, it was also a record-breaking streak in terms of clean sheets – how big an achievement was that for the defence?
It was a very proud one, particularly when you consider the defence changed so much over those couple of months. It wasn’t just the full-back positions that changed, the centre-back pairings did as well. The young lads like Rafael and Jonny [Evans] came in and never let us down. To come in and play such important, tough games and look so unfazed was testament to them. The manager showed great faith in them and they repaid that

Nemanja Vidic admitted after the Liverpool defeat that maybe the team had unconsciously relaxed a bit…
Maybe, I’m not sure. It was just a bad day and bad result, but sometimes you get those during the season. The quicker you get yourself out of that situation the better. Obviously we didn’t perform at Fulham the following week which was disappointing. But as I said things happen during the season, you can’t win every game you play. There’s going to be a point when you lose a couple of matches. You just have to make sure you get back on track as soon as possible and thankfully we did that.

Was Federico Macheda’s winner against Villa the key moment of the season this side of Christmas?
That was a massive, massive goal and an unbelievable moment – I was going bananas in the stands! You went through all the emotions in that game. At one point they looked like they could score more goals, then we looked like doing the same. Ronny got us back into it and then Macheda came out of nowhere to smash home the winner. The way that game finished just typified the Manchester United spirit – we never ever give up.

You proved that against Spurs, coming from 2-0 down to seal a superb 5-2 win…
Yeah, definitely – we’re never out of a game until the final whistle goes. I remember in the tunnel at half-time hearing a couple of the Spurs lads say to each other "this game isn’t over yet". People know that if they want to beat us they’ve got to play for 90 minutes. We’ve proved in the past that we can come back and we’ll always have chances to do that because we have top players who can score goals. Some of the attacking play in that game was fantastic – a joy to watch. When you concede two goals in the sloppy way we did you’re just so thankful to be alongside players who are capable of performing and scoring goals when we need them to. It’s a real pleasure to play alongside every one of them.

Did the experience of the last two title wins help with securing a third?
It’s unconsciously there. You don’t really think about it but in certain situations during games you draw on that experience without really knowing. When you’ve been there and done it before you’re familiar with certain situations and your reactions become instinctive because of the experience you have. The more you play in high-pressure situations and experience winning trophies, the more you know what to do at the right times.

Finally, how big a part have the fans played this season?
Their support is so important. They travel far and wide and spend a lot of money watching us, and for a lot of them it’s what they live for. We’re very appreciative and it’s only right we say thank you because without them the club wouldn’t survive. And it really is a genuine thank you. The fans support us home and away in all conditions and sing their hearts out which is always great for us to hear.

Campbell Mulls Over Tigers Switch

Fraizer Campbell will wait until after the Uefa Under-21 Championship before deciding whether to move to Hull, BBC Radio Humberside understands.

The Manchester United striker is in the England squad for the competition, which begins in Sweden on 15 June.

The Premier League champions have accepted a £6m offer from the Tigers for the 21-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Tottenham Hotspur.

Campbell scored 15 goals for Hull when they were promoted a year ago.

It is thought that Tigers' boss Phil Brown will watch the player in Milton Keynes when England's youngsters play Azerbaijan on Monday night.

Wigan Receive Valencia Bids

Sky Sports News understands Wigan have received bids in excess of £16million from Manchester United and Real Madrid for Antonio Valencia.

The Ecuadorian winger has long been linked with the two European giants and it is now reported that the pair have tabled offers.

United are searching for creativity after big-money signing Nani has failed to live up to expectations and Valencia is said to have impressed boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

Real are desperate to overthrow Spanish and continental champions Barcelona and the 23-year-old was thought to be close to a move in the winter transfer window.

A switch failed to materialise, but it is now understood that newly-elected president Florentino Perez, who has pledged a return to the dazzling days of star signings from his first spell at the Bernabeu, is ready to test Wigan's resolve.

Valencia joined Wigan in 2006 in a loan move from Recreativo de Huelva and the deal was made permanent in January 2008.

The Latics are currently without a manager following Steve Bruce's move to Sunderland, but Roberto Martinez is expected to be unveiled as successor on Wednesday.

Hull's Bid For Campbell Accepted

Manchester United have accepted a bid from Hull City for England Under-21 striker Fraizer Campbell.

Hull have been given permission to discuss personal terms with Campbell after agreeing a reported £6m fee.

Campbell, 21, scored 15 goals to help Phil Brown's to promotion in 2008 during a successful loan spell at the KC Stadium during the 2007/08 season.

He spent last season on loan at Tottenham as part of the deal that took Dimitar Berbatov to Old Trafford.

Brown was keen to sign Campbell after Hull were promoted but missed out when the player joined Spurs.

Campbell, who has seven Under-21 caps, started just one Premier League game during his time in north London and only made one brief appearance in the final three months of the campaign.

A number of clubs have reportedly shown an interest in signing him this summer.

Rio Launches Online Magazine

You may have missed it amid a hectic end to the season, but United defender Rio Ferdinand has launched his very own digital magazine.

The bi-monthly tome, named #5 after Rio's shirt number for United and England, covers sport, personality and style, and is available for free from www.rioferdinand.com.

Editor-at-large Rio has launched the magazine to provide insight into what interests him in his roles as a footballer, icon and parent. “I’m excited to announce the launch issue of #5 Magazine," he said. "It's my number but it’s everyone’s magazine. We want #5 to be the most successful digital magazine ever, so we hope you enjoy it."

Although his football career will always come first, Rio has been hands-on with his new project, interviewing 50 Cent, Mickey Rourke and Duffy as well as talking through football freestyling with Reds team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo.

#5 editor Owen Blackhurst added: “Rio has been integral to the launch issue from the selection of the interviews to the direction and style of the digital magazine. This isn’t a case of Rio dipping his toe into media, he’s the driving force.”

The launch issue also marks the announcement of #5 TV – Rio’s exclusive video channel which will be launched with the second issue of #5 magazine and host exclusive HD content starring the defender.

An exclusive #5 Channel will also be available via monthly subscription enabling consumers to view unseen footage from the making of #5 Magazine, exclusive interviews with Rio, and latest news from the worlds of fashion and music.

Valencia Coming To Old Trafford

United will face Valencia in a pre-season friendly ahead of the 2009/10 campaign.

The La Liga side, which currently boasts the likes of Spanish internationals David Villa and David Silva, will travel to Old Trafford on Wednesday, 5 August, for a game which will kick off at 20:00 BST.

United have faced Valencia six times before in competitive matches, with Old Trafford hosting the most recent meeting in February 2001, a 1-1 Champions League draw.

The friendly will follow July's four-game Asia Tour and two matches in Munich for the Audi Cup, and will set Sir Alex Ferguson's side up for the Community Shield clash with Chelsea at Wembley on Sunday 9 August.

Hargreaves Faces Possible Career Concerns

Owen Hargreaves may be forced to quit top-level football in the next two years if his chronic knee problem persists, BBC Sport understands.

The Manchester United and England midfielder has had two operations to cure a tendinitis problem in both knees but the pain has yet to subside.

It is believed the 28-year-old has not yet planned a return date but is still confident of making a full recovery.

He has had only 25 starts since a £17m move from Bayern Munich in July 2007.

Hargreaves, who was seen demonstrating his ball skills during United's warm-up for the Champions League final in Rome on 27 May, has not featured for Sir Alex Ferguson's side since their 1-1 draw with Chelsea on 21 September 2008.

He underwent surgery on his right knee last November and then on his left knee in January.

The procedures were carried out under the guidance of leading American knee surgeon Richard Steadman, who has previously operated on former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer, current Magpies forward Michael Owen and ex-Red Devils striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, who is now at Real Madrid.

Ferguson has previously said that he was "certain" Hargreaves would be fit for the beginning of the 2009-2010 campaign but it is now believed there is little chance of that happening.

Hargreaves, who is halfway through a four-year contract at United, hopes to begin training with the United first team at the end of July or the start of August but he could be restricted to as little as one session per week.

Manchester United declined to comment on Hargreaves' current level of fitness, but it is believed that his injury is so delicate it can only be monitored on a day-to-day basis and stepping up the intensity of his rehabilitation programme could have potentially disastrous ramifications.

If the England international suffers a recurrence of the original problem he would face another lengthy absence.

Hargreaves aims to manage the injury as slowly as necessary before making a return when he is pain free but he will not return if he is feeling any level of discomfort.

If Hargreaves is pain free he is likely to be able to play at the top level for at least four or five more years but, if not, a premature end is likely.

His condition, patellar tendinitis, can be described as inflammation of the tendon that attaches the quadriceps (thigh muscle) to the tibia (shin bone).

It can be caused by a number of factors, including a rapid increase in the frequency of training, sudden increase in the intensity of training, transition from one training method to another, genetic abnormalities of the knee joint and poor base strength of the quadriceps.

Man. United In New Shirt Sponsor Deal

Manchester United has signed a four-year shirt sponsorship deal with the insurance giant Aon Corporation.

Aon will replace troubled US insurer AIG, which is restructuring itself having received a $150bn (£109bn) bail-out from the US government.

The new sponsor will appear on Manchester United's shirts from the start of the 2010/11 season.

Aon is based in Chicago and specialises in reinsurance, which is the selling of insurance to other insurers.

Neither Manchester United nor Aon has announced the terms of the deal or how much it is worth.

AIG paid £14m a year for its four-year deal, which ends in May 2010.

There have been reports that Aon's deal could be worth as much as £80m over four years.

Aon said it hoped that its relationship with Manchester United would help to improve its brand recognition.

It pointed out that after its first year sponsoring the team, AIG had become the 47th most recognised global brand and had jumped from number 84 to number 30 on Barron's list of most respected companies.