Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

[yinyang]

Man Utd face Anderson permit wait

Anderson may have to wait before moving to Old Trafford
Manchester United's new Brazilian signing Anderson is facing work permit problems and may have to wait a year before he can play for the club.
United agreed a deal with Porto in early June to sign the 19-year-old.

But Anderson does not have enough caps for Brazil to satisfy Home Office rules and his first application was refused.

United lodged an appeal on Thursday - with a verdict expected within 48 hours - but if that fails they cannot reapply until next year.

Anderson needs to have played in 75% of Brazil's international fixtures in the previous two years to meet Home Office criteria.

The Premier League champion's solicitor, Maurice Watkins, asked the six-man panel to consider Anderson as a special case.

Anderson has described the proposed move to Old Trafford as "a dream come true".

He said: "I cannot wait to play in the same team as Cristiano Ronaldo, who is a great player, as well as Wayne Rooney and many more."

His move to United was announced at the same time as Sporting Lisbon youngster Nani, who as a Portuguese citizen has no work permit problems.

[qbdp]

Work permit problems may delay £18m man Anderson for a year

Manchester United's £18million signing Anderson may have to wait a year to join his new club.

Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson and club solicitor Maurice Watkin were at a meeting in London yesterday to plead for the Brazilian to be given a work permit.

Anderson's first application was refused as he does not have enough caps to satisfy work permit rules.

United appealed, asking for the 19-year-old to be considered a special case, and are now sweating on the decision according to reports in the Daily Mirror.

A six-strong panel will deliver a verdict within the next 48 hours, with Anderson's transfer from Porto depending on the result. If the appeal fails, United cannot reapply until next year.

The attacking midfielder has been given rave reviews by former Brazil boss Luis Felipe Scolari, but his lack of international experience means he may be left in limbo for a season.

Ferguson is thinking over a £7m offer from Real Zaragoza for United's Spanish defender Gerard Pique and a £7m bid from Parma for Italian striker Giuseppe Rossi.

The pair, both aged 20, spent last season on loan at the respective clubs.

[qbdp]

Hargreaves hopes to have it all

England midfielder Owen Hargreaves waved goodbye to Bayern Munich and then vowed to "win everything" at Manchester United.

After agreeing a £17million switch to United last month, the 26-year-old Canada-born player brought the curtain down on a decade in Bavaria with a farewell press conference in Passau.
"I would never have thought that I would move to Germany," he said.

"I am very happy that FC Bayern gave me such an opportunity. I wish them all the best. The last 10 years were a dream."

Although Hargreaves was not able to leave the Bavarians on a high note - they finished last season in their lowest Bundesliga position since he joined from the Calgary Foothills club - he still managed to achieve all he set out to do in Germany.

He won four Bundesliga titles with Bayern as well as the 2001 Champions League and Intercontinental Cup (World Club Championship).

Hargreaves is hoping his move to Old Trafford will not interrupt his run of success.

He said: "I set lots of targets over the last decade and I have also fulfilled them. I expect that to continue.

"A new era is starting for me now and I hope to achieve even more. I don't have any concrete aims, but you have got to win everything at Manchester."

[qbdp]

Carrick relishing 'big challenge' at United

Michael Carrick admits he faces a "big challenge" to remain a first-team regular at Manchester United.

The England midfielder, who signed from Tottenham for £18.6million last summer, started the majority of United's games as they won the Barclays Premier League title.

But the 25-year-old will face competition for his midfield holding role from international team-mate Owen Hargreaves next term.

"I want to stay here and achieve things here. This is the pinnacle of the game," Carrick told Inside United.

"They say the easy part is getting there and the hardest part's staying there, so I've got a big challenge ahead."

Carrick began his career at West Ham before moving to Spurs three years ago.

He believes his career path has followed a progression which has taken him to what he believes is the pinnacle of the game.

"Each move was a step up really," he said. "Although when I first got in the West Ham team, we were doing really well and finished seventh that season - going down in 2003 was a big disappointment.

"But to go to Tottenham and to achieve what we did there was a big step up for the club, going so close to getting in the Champions League.

"But then to come here is another level again and there's nowhere else now!"

Carrick accepts that in order to guarantee his United future, he will have to keep improving.

He believes he has the perfect mentor in midfield partner Paul Scholes.

"Scholesy has been a massive influence," he Carrick. "Just watching him every day lets you appreciate how good he is.

"If you ask anyone in the game who's in the know, everyone says how good he is and how hard he is to play against. To have him on your team alongside you is great.

"He's just an awesome player and one that I'm watching in training and learning from, and hopefully taking things from and trying to do the same."

Carrick tremendous range of passing was one of the main reasons Sir Alex Ferguson brought him to the club.

But the midfielder played down his own contribution and praised that of his team-mates.

He said: "I've got the easy part, they make it easy! Their movement is brilliant. It's not just where they move, it's the intelligence.

"Sometimes standing still and letting everything go on around you can create the space you need, and Giggsy's [Ryan Giggs] a prime example of that.

"He's so clever and so intelligent, you see that from some of the positions he picks up and how he does it. It's just great to have him on our team.

"But it's not just him, all of them are great. You get the ball and most of the time you've got at least two options, which is a midfielder's dream really."

[me|zuo]

Man Utd's Anderson granted work permit

Fears that Manchester United could be without their £18million Brazilian midfielder Anderson next season have proved groundless after a work permit was today granted for the 19-year-old.


The club initially had an application for a permit knocked back on the grounds Anderson does not have enough international caps but United today won an appeal against that decision.


It means the attacking midfielder, who signed from Portuguese side FC Porto last month, will be part of the United squad for next season.

The club said in a statement: 'Manchester United is pleased to confirm that the club has been successful in its application for a work permit for Anderson.'

United's representatives attended a Home Office panel of experts yesterday where they argued that due to his exceptional talent he should be granted a work permit and that only his youth had prevented him from obtaining the requisite number of international caps.

Indeed, Anderson only made his full international debut for Brazil in the early hours of yesterday morning in the Copa America match against Mexico.

Anderson said earlier this week: 'To join Manchester United at 19 is incredible.

'Everything will be different in England - I know that - but I am certain I will adjust quickly to life in England.

'I am proud - and my family is also. For me, everything is new, it's a dream come true

[epsilon]

New squad number for Rooney

Wayne Rooney is changing his United squad number from 8 to 10 for the forthcoming season and beyond.

To mark the switch, Wayne met probably the club's greatest ever number 10, Denis Law for a special photograph at Carrington.

"When I was offered the chance to wear the number 10 shirt I jumped at it," says Wayne.

"Some of the game's greatest players have become legends wearing number 10, none more so than Denis Law.

"He was crowned King of the Stretford End during his time at the club and it is a great honour for me to wear a shirt that has such history behind it."

Rooney's manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes Wayne is a worthy addition to the roll-call of players who've worn the iconic red shirt.

"There have been some wonderful footballers who have worn the Manchester United number 10 shirt," says Sir Alex.

"These men have captured the imagination of our fans around the world with their skill and their goals. Wayne is the right man to carry on that tradition and I'm delighted that Denis Law was able to pass on the mantle."

United have yet to confirm who will replace Rooney at number 8, or which numbers will be worn by new signings Nani, Anderson and Owen Hargreaves.

[yinyang]

Extract from Sat's trivia (edited for MU bias)...

Saturday's gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Liverpool are planning to hijack Juventus' move for Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze. (Various)

Jose Mourinho has warned that Chelsea have to sort out Frank Lampard's future before other clubs tempt him away from Stamford Bridge. (The Sun)

Manchester United are leading the race to sign West Ham star Carlos Tevez. (Daily Star)

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has revealed he is weighing up offers from other clubs and will make a decision on his future next week. (The Sun)

Blackburn midfielder Robbie Savage has turned down a move to Wigan. (Various)

Chelsea duo Shaun Wright-Phillips and Lassana Diarra are the latest targets for Tottenham manager Martin Jol. (The Sun)

Although Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill believes he can launch a £10m bid for Wright-Phillips. (Daily Mirror)

And you can also add Spurs striker Jermain Defoe and West Ham midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker to Villa's £30m wish list. (Daily Express)

Fulham want to make a £2.5m bid for Blackburn striker Jason Roberts. (The Sun)

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez will have to drop his £12m asking price for Craig Bellamy if he wants to successfully offload the striker. (Daily Star)

Blackburn and Celtic are battling it out for Netherlands striker Maceo Rigters. (Daily Mail)

OTHER GOSSIP
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has been given the club's famous number 10 shirt for the new season. (Various)

England fans have been offered the chance to buy tickets for a special "singing area" at the new Wembley. (The Sun)

Portsmouth's Bulgarian striker Svetoslav Todorov has turned down an offer of a new one-year deal. (Daily Mirror)

David Beckham could miss LA Galaxy's friendly against Chelsea on 21 July because of the ankle injury he suffered playing for England. (Daily Star)

AND FINALLY
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez's new beard has not been greeted well by the press with the Sun asking "is this the worst beard football has ever seen?"

[qbdp]

New kit for 2007/2008?

[qbdp]

Owen's deal complete

UNITED have finally completed the signing of England midfielder Owen Hargreaves from Bayern Munich.

The 26-year-old has signed a four-year contract with the Red Devils after a lengthy pursuit by the Barclays Premier League champions.

Hargreaves told the club's official website: "It's been a long time coming.

"It was probably the worst-kept secret in football, but it's great to be here."

[Castrol]

Originally Posted by MelbSJ

yeap! good news!
i watched this anderson coming on in the second half for brazil against mexico and was clearly one of the best samba boys on the pitch!

cheers...

fully agreed, he's like aimar+riquelme. i hope he will play central midfield for man utd, truly a worthy successor for the great paul scholes.

[DatukSeks]

Originally Posted by Castrol

fully agreed, he's like aimar+riquelme. i hope he will play central midfield for man utd, truly a worthy successor for the great paul scholes.

But in the match against Chile where Anderson started the match, The New Paper said he was a crap and was eventually substituted.

I hope Anderson gets better and let's hope he doesn't get injured in this tournament

[qbdp]

Nani & Anderson seal Man Utd move

New Manchester United signings Nani and Anderson have both put pen to paper on five-year deals.

Portugal winger Nani, 20, and Brazil midfielder Anderson, 19, cost a combined £30m when joining from Sporting Lisbon and Porto respectively.

The pair, along with fellow new signing Owen Hargreaves, will be officially unveiled to the media soon.

Meanwhile, Polish keeper Tomasz Kuszczak also made his season-long loan from West Brom into a permanent move.

United gained a work permit for Anderson, after their initial application was rejected as he had not played 75% of Brazil's internationals during the last two years.

United argued that Anderson, who made his Brazil debut in the Copa America defeat by Mexico last week, had been prevented by his age into filling that criteria.

They also argued that he will bring exceptional talent to the Premier League.

Nani had been linked to a move to Tottenham, but said he would only leave Sporting to join a club like United.

Kuszczak joined United on loan from West Brom last August, and as understudy to Old Trafford number Edwin van der Sar made six Premier League and five FA Cup starts last season.

[yinyang]

Fixtures for summer... roll call for charity shield 5/8? -7 for BST for local time zone

Fixtures

Tuesday, 17 July 2007
Friendly Match
Urawa Red Diamonds v Man Utd, 12:00
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Friday, 20 July 2007
Friendly Match
FC Seoul v Man Utd, 12:00
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Monday, 23 July 2007
Friendly Match
Shenzhen Jianlibao v Man Utd, 12:00
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Wednesday, 25 July 2007
Friendly Match
Port Vale v Man Utd, 19:30
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Wednesday, 01 August 2007
Friendly Match
Man Utd v Inter Milan, 19:45
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Friday, 03 August 2007
Friendly Match
Doncaster v Man Utd, 19:45
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Sunday, 05 August 2007
FA Community Shield
Chelsea v Man Utd, 15:00
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Saturday, 11 August 2007
Barclays Premier League
Man Utd v Reading, 15:00
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Tuesday, 14 August 2007
Barclays Premier League
Portsmouth v Man Utd, 19:45
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Saturday, 18 August 2007
Barclays Premier League
Man City v Man Utd, 15:00
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Saturday, 25 August 2007
Barclays Premier League
Man Utd v Tottenham, 15:00

[chickenzip]

Castillo has been the sensation of the Copa so far. Before the tournament started, Lionel Messi was the odds-on favourite to be the most talked about youngster. But at this early stage Castillo's speed, work ethic and of course his goals have eclipsed even Messi, who starred in Argentina's 4-1 win over the United States but was less effective in the 4-2 defeat of Colombia.

Three countries wanted Castillo's signature on their registration and it was only recently he opted to represent the country of his birth.

He was born in the Mexican city of San Luis Potosi - his father played for the local side - but his parents returned to Uruguay when he was just three years old and he made his professional debut for local club Danubio at age 15.

His talent was clear and he almost signed for Manchester United as a 16-year old. However, the deal fell through because he could not get a work visa and he instead put pen to paper for Greek club Olympiakos.

His long stay in Greece means he is about to win Greek citizenship and they, along with both Mexico and Uruguay wanted him for their national side.

[yinyang]

Wednesday's gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Chelsea have told Barcelona that Frank Lampard is not for sale after rejecting a £12m bid from the Spanish club. (Daily Star)

Portsmouth are set to sign Rennes midfielder Arnold Mvuemba after agreeing a £2.5m fee with the French club. (Various)

Sunderland hope to sign Manchester United midfielder Kieran Richardson for £2.5m, despite interest from Everton. (Daily Mail)

Chelsea have been told they will have to offer £20m if they are to have any chance of landing Sevilla full-back Daniel Alves. (Daily Mail)

Rangers have started fresh talks over their bid to land Kilmarnock striker Steven Naismith. (Daily Record)

Wigan have made a £2.5m bid for Fulham midfielder Michael Brown. (Daily Mirror)

VfB Stuttgart are set to swoop for Watford striker Tamas Priskin. (The Sun)

Jermain Defoe's future at Tottenham is in doubt after the striker, who has been linked to Aston Villa and Portsmouth, refused to start talks over a new five-year contract. (Daily Star)

Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre is wanted by Bordeaux. (Various)

West Brom striker Diomansy Kamara's move to Fulham has collapsed, meaning Heidar Helguson, who has been mooted as a makeweight in a £5m deal will stay at Craven Cottage. (Daily Express)

The likelihood of Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze moving to Liverpool has receded because the Old Trafford outfit are understood to be uncomfortable with selling the Argentine to one of their biggest rivals. (Daily Telegraph)

Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse is close to a permanent deal with Marseille, despite interest from West Ham. (Daily Telegraph)

Everton are set to step up their interest in Sheffield United utility player Phil Jagielka following the confirmation of the Blades' relegation to the Championship. (The Times)

Real Madrid are interested in Lyon winger Florent Malouda, who is being targeted by Chelsea, as well as Blues winger Arjen Robben. (The Independent)

Reading are still interested in Nantes midfielder Emerse Fae. (The Times)

Striker Jeremie Aliadiere has vowed to prove Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger wrong after leaving the Gunners - where he made only 19 starts in almost eight years - for Middlesbrough. (Various)

Liverpool striker Peter Crouch has been assured he has a future at Anfield, despite the impending arrival of Fernando Torres from Atletico Madrid. (Various)

Real Sociedad Mikel Alonso, who is the brother of Liverpool's Xabi Alonso, has joined Bolton at their pre-season training camp in Austria. (Daily Star)

OTHER GOSSIP
Former Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder has warned his successor Sam Allardyce that ex-Magpies striker Alan Shearer will be waiting in the wings if the ex-Bolton boss is not successful at the club. (Daily Mirror)

The Arsenal board want manager Arsene Wenger, who has 12 months left on his current contract, to sign a new deal by the end of the week. (The Sun)

Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour has warned the club that Wenger is irreplaceable. (Daily Star)

Newcastle could be without Geremi, who signed for the Magpies from Chelsea this week, for up to six games early next year because the midfielder may be on African Cup of Nations duty with Cameroon. (Daily Mirror)

Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs, 33, is determined to hang on to his place in the team, even though he knows the "finishing line is approaching" in his career. (The Sun)

Sunderland manager Roy Keane has appointed former Manchester United team-mate Raimond van der Gouw as his goalkeeping coach. (Various)

Former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder Steve McManaman may be given a senior role at Birmingham if Carson Yeung's takeover bid succeeds. McManaman has been appointed to the board of Grandtop International Holdings, the company used by Hong Kong businessman Yeung as a vehicle for his buy-out proposal. (Daily Mail)

AND FINALLY
Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo has told manager Sir Alex Ferguson he will shave off his hair if he does not score 20 Premier League goals next season. In the 2006-2007 campaign, the Portuguese star won a £400 bet with the United boss after scoring 17 times in the top flight, beating his 15-goal target. (The Sun)

Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce has banned mobiles on the club's week-long training camp in Austria. He said: "There will be no distractions. We will be totally focused." (The Sun)