Sir Alex Ferguson's call for English academy changes approved by Premier League

Manchester United manager's proposed Elite Performance Plan approved by chairmen at top-flight end-of-season meeting, with changes coming into force next season

By Chris Teale

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has had his calls for radical changes to the coaching of young players in academies approved by the Premier League.

According to News of the World, the Elite Performance Plan was approved by chairmen at an end-of-season meeting, and paves the way for top English clubs to match and even surpass the so-called Barcelona model of training youngsters.

The current system, where the coaching of players is limited to 2,000 hours between the ages of 10 and 18 has been amended to allow players to be coached for up to 10,000 hours.

In addition, the rule that players have to live within 90 minutes of their clubs has been scrapped altogether, although the issue of compensation for clubs from lower divisions for their youngsters is still to be resolved.

The changes proposed by Ferguson will come into force at the start of the 2012-13 season.

Sir Alex Ferguson

Sir Alexander Chapman "Alex" Ferguson, CBE, popularly known as Sir Alex or Fergie (born 31 December 1941 in Govan, Glasgow) is a Scottish association football manager and former player, currently managing Manchester United, where he has been in charge since 1986. His tenure has seen the club go through an era of success and dominance both in England and in Europe, giving Sir Alex a reputation as one of the most admired and respected managers in the history of the game.

With 24 years as manager of Manchester United, he is the longest serving manager in their history after overtaking Sir Matt Busby's record on 19 December 2010. His tenure is also the longest of all the current League managers. During this time, Ferguson has won many awards and holds many records including winning Manager of the Year most times in British football history. In 2008, he became the third British manager to win the European Cup on more than one occasion.

He was knighted in 1999 for his services to the game and also holds the Freedom of the City of Aberdeen.

Personal information
Full name	Sir Alexander Chapman Ferguson
Date of birth	31 December 1941 (age 69)
Place of birth	Glasgow, Scotland
Playing position	Forward
Club information
Current club	Manchester United (manager)
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1957–1960	Queen's Park	31	(15)
1960–1964	St. Johnstone	37	(19)
1964–1967	Dunfermline Athletic	89	(66)
1967–1969	Rangers	41	(25)
1969–1973	Falkirk	95	(36)
1973–1974	Ayr United	24	(9)
Total		317	(170)
National team
1967	Scottish Football League XI	2	(1)
1967	Scotland XI[1]	7	(9)
Teams managed
1974	East Stirlingshire
1974–1978	St. Mirren
1978–1986	Aberdeen
1985–1986	Scotland
1986–	Manchester United

There has been no loan approach for Manchester United's Gabriel Obertan - agent

The French winger and his representative have both confirmed there has been no offer for his services as 22-year-old looks set to stay at Old Trafford this summer

EXCLUSIVE
By Hocine Harzoune

The agent of Manchester United winger Gabriel Obertanhas quashed rumours that his client could be leaving Old Trafford this summer on loan.
Obertan made only three starts in the Premier League in the 2010-11 campaign and reports emerging from France have linked the former Bordeaux man with a loan move back to Ligue 1.

French champions Lille are rumoured to be interested in acquiring the 22-year-old, with the club reserved to losing Gervinho to Premier League side Arsenal.

Saint Etienne are also said to be monitoring Obertan's situation at Old Trafford, however, Obertan's agent Karim Djaziri has confirmed his client is yet to receive an offer from any Ligue 1 side.

"Rumours about Lille? No, I have not heard of any. Nor is there any concrete offer from a French club," say Djaziri.

The agent was then asked whether his client had received an approach from elsewhere, with SPL champions Rangers also being linked with a short-term move for the pacy winger.

"We have received no concrete offers this summer. There has been no contact," he added.

When quizzed if Obertan will stay at Manchester United for the 2011-12 season, Djaziri stated: "Yes, for now he will stay here."

The player himself also seems in the dark over a possible move back to his native France when interviewed by France Football.

"I should know if Manchester United wants to loan me and if they want to [loan me] to Lille. For now, I do not know," he told France Football.

Obertan joined Manchester United in the summer of 2009 for a fee of £3.1m (€3.5m) from Bordeaux.

Manchester United new boy Phil Jones confident of rising to 'massive challenge' at Old Trafford

Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish resigned to losing Ashley Young to Manchester United

New boss admits he won't be able to keep Young at Villa Park but knows his first task will be to sort out Stewart Downing's future at the club

By Alex Fisher

Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish has admitted he is resigned to losing Ashley Young over the summer, but the Scot is determined to hold onto Stewart Downing.

Young has been linked with a move away from Villa Park since the end of the season, with Manchester United his reported destination, and McLeish concedes he didn’t expect to be working with the forward next season.

"It's not confirmed yet [Young’s transfer to Manchester United] but it does seem likely," he told Talksport.

"In my humble opinion it will be very difficult [to keep hold of him]."

However, sorting out the future of Downing is top priority for McLeish and the Scot is determined to keep hold of the former Middlesbrough winger despite interest from Liverpool.

"No chance do we want Stewart Downing to go. We certainly don't want to lose Stewart," he continued.

"He's a top player.

"I need to see what Stewart's thinking when he comes back because I know that he made some comments when he was away on England duty.”

With the players currently on their summer break McLeish admitted he was going to be working hard behind the scenes to assess the squad, before they return for pre-season training.

"I'll have a chat with one or two in the coming days and weeks before pre-season training starts and once I get them in for pre-season training proper then I'll get a better idea," he said.

Manchester United target Raphael Varane to make decision over move in next few days

The French starlet is expected to inform suitors about his plans in the next 48 hours, with Sir Alex Ferguson fighting Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain for his signature

By Mark Fordham

Manchester United will find out in the next 48 hours whether they have been successful in their bid for 18-year-old central defender Raphael Varane.

United have reportedly lodged a bid of around £9 million for the highly rated Frenchman but face competition from Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.

The defender admitted himself that he was taking his time to decide where his future lies.
Lens president Gervais Martel expects the youngster to make a decision on his future in the next couple of days.

"Given the clubs involved, it would be very hard to stop him [from moving]," Martel told La Voix du Nord.
"I hope this will be finalised in the next 48 hours - I have just spent four hours on the phone, and there are many things to settle."

Varane is reportedly keen to play first team football next season and both United’s and Madrid’s bids include a clause for the under-21 international to be loaned back to Lens for next season.

PSG have emerged as favourites to land the defender because the central defender is reportedly interested in staying for France for the time being.

Javier Hernandez talks of his desire to help bring further success Manchester United next season

Fresh from his fine goal and performance for Mexico against Guatemala in the Gold Cup, Chicharito wants to help Red Devils 'make history' by winning more silverware

By Chris Teale

Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez has spoken of his great desire to bring further success and silverware to Old Trafford, and about his incredible first season in the Premier League.

Hernandez was speaking in the aftermath of Mexico’s victory over Guatemala in the Gold Cup in New York, a game in which he scored with a cheeky back-heel, helping his national team win 2-1.

Hernandez told L’Equipe: “Early in the season, I thought I would have limited playing time, or very limited. At best, I thought my season would involve me being a joker who came off the bench late in the game trying to unlock a complicated situation.

“Basically, the goal of the season was essentially to adapt to the Premier League, especially physically. But gradually I got playing time, and I started to feel confident, scoring a few goals early in the season.

“Everything went so fast. I could not have hoped for such a good campaign. I had a dream season.”

Hernandez spoke of the increased confidence that came with scoring twice against Stoke City, and he believes that Manchester United can add to the silverware they won last season.

He said:  “As a group, I am very happy to have won the championship of England. This is a wonderful thing, especially after a fierce title race.

“Chelsea, Arsenal or even Manchester City battled to the end, but we never doubted our strength. Manchester United has such soul and such generosity.

“Success is written into the DNA of this club, I’m in the best club in the world. Everything is done to succeed and win titles.

“Only defeat in the final of the Champions League was a big disappointment. Personally, I am extremely happy with my season, but I do not rest on my laurels.

“I want to do even better next season. I want to help this club make history.”

Danny Welbeck hoping to use England Under-21 clash against Czech Republic to boost his cause at Manchester United

Forward is looking to use the Young Lions as a launchpad to help him secure a spot in the Red Devils' first-team, while admitting he learned a lot during his Sunderland loan spell

By Adithya Ananth

Danny Welbeck is hoping to use the England Under-21's campaign in the European Championship in Denmark to break into the first-team at Manchester United.

The 20-year-old spent last season out on loan with Sunderland, and also made his debut for the senior national team during the course of his spell with the Black Cats.

Now, ahead of the must-win game for the young Three Lions, the striker is hoping for a victory whilst admitting that he will go into the game with a schoolboy's enthusiasm.

"We’ve been in this position before for the Under-21s," Welbeck said, according to The Mirror.

"We played Portugal away and had to win that as well to qualify.

"We’ll go into this game, take the experience from the Portugal match and hopefully progress to the semi-finals.

"I don’t really play off nerves. I just want to win. I go into every game like I’m ­playing at school!"

Everton are believed to be interested in a loan move for the U-21 marksman, while Sunderland also reportedly want Welbeck back at the Stadium of Light on another temporary deal.

"The manager [Sir Alex Ferguson] said I’ll get decent ­opportunities and hopefully I’ll take them and progress from there.

"Going on loan really benefits you. I went to Preston two seasons ago and then Sunderland. I think there’s a lot of hidden talents at the big clubs that aren’t getting the chance to showcase their ability.

"Daniel Sturridge went on loan to ­Bolton and showed what he could do there and there are talents at United still in the reserves and not getting their chance yet.

"It gets to the stage where you have to decide on your future, but I’m still only 20 and looking forward to my opportunity. My main aim was to go to Sunderland and get minutes under my belt in the Premier League and I did that.

"I was unfortunate to get injured midway through the season. That hampered my form a bit, but I was delighted with it overall.

"You learn massive amounts, it’s experience you can’t gain from being at United on the bench like I was the season before.

"So once I went there and got the taste of playing games week in and week out I was happy with that. I’m young and looking to improve and hungry for ­success as well, so playing week in and week out in the Prem, that’s the top way to benefit.

"I was playing with top strikers, Darren Bent was there at the start and then ­Asamoah Gyan came as well. I learnt a lot from Darren in training, seeing him scoring goals every single session. He was hungry to score. It was the same with Asamoah as well and I’ll always take that into my learning progress."

Blackburn Rovers claim Manchester United approached Phil Jones without permission

Venky's chairperson Anuradha Desai insists the Red Devils contacted the defender before being authorised to do so, while the Premier League champions maintain their innocence

By Adithya Ananth

Blackburn Rovers have claimed that they "have reasons to believe" that Manchester United may have contacted Phil Jones before they were given permission to do so.

The young defender recently sealed a deal worth £20.5 million with add-ons, and switched his allegiance to the Old Trafford outfit.

Now Rovers' owner, Venky's chairperson Anuradha Desai, has hit out at the Red Devils, insisting that her club could have lodged an official complaint to the Premier League.

But after holding talks with manager Steve Kean, Rovers decided that it would have been unfair if the struggle that could potentially have ensued had impacted on the 19-year-old's career.

"We have reasons to believe that the player's agent and maybe the player had been in touch [with United] for two to three months before permission was granted," Desai toldThe Mail on Sunday.

"I was ready to take Manchester United on, ready to go to a tribunal if that's what it led to. But we spoke at length to Steve Kean and we knew Phil wanted to go to United.

"We concluded that the person who would be most damaged by a delay and legal action was Phil. That wasn't fair on him. There was a release clause for £16.5m and the total deal was £4m more with the add-ons. We wish Phil well.

"Phil is an outstanding young English player and I'm proud of the role Blackburn played in developing him. We made him an enormous offer to stay with us and we wanted to keep him."

For their part, United have denied the allegations made by Blackburn, as a spokesperson for the Red Devils said: "We had the appropriate permissions to speak to Phil Jones."

Jones' agent, John Colquhoun, added: "I won't be commenting on the confidential process that was undertaken.

"Everyone is telling me they're happy with what went on so, unless I hear different and unless I've got questions to answer, I don't feel I have to comment."

Udinese’s Alexis Sanchez set to reject Manchester United and Manchester City in favour of £32m move to Barcelona (report)

In-demand Chilean has his heart set on joining the European champions, who have offered his club £25m up front and a further £7m in performance-related bonuses

Udinese star Alexis Sanchez will spurn the opportunity to join either Manchester United or Manchester City in favour of a dream £32 million move to Barcelona, according to theDaily Telegraph.

Sanchez’s impressive form for his club this season has confirmed his status as one of the hottest young properties in European football, and Italian giants Juventus and Inter were also believed to be in the hunt for his signature.

It is understood that Udinese president Giampaolo Pozzo held talks with delegates from all five clubs, including United and City chief executives David Gill and Garry Cook, in an attempt to find out which of the interested parties were willing to match the club’s asking price for the 22-year-old.

Barcelona’s previous offer of cash plus striker Bojan Krkic had previously failed due to the young Spaniard’s unwillingness to move to Italy as a makeweight, but an improved cash offer consisting of an initial £25m with a further £7m payable in performance-related bonuses appears to be acceptable to everyone.

Manchester City have reportedly identified Sanchez as their No.1 priority in the transfer market this summer and are willing to match any offer for him, but the winger’s personal desire to play alongside the likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta appears to have scuppered their chances.

The potential signing of Sanchez is apparently somewhat less integral to the plans of Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, however, and the Scot will now likely turn his attentions to securing the arrival of Ashley Young from Aston Villa and trying to prise Samir Nasri from Arsenal.

Manchester United's Park Ji-Sung admits he could leave

The Korean star, who has one year left to run on his contract, believes he doesn't have long left as a player and has attracted interest from Spanish duo Sevilla and Atletico

By Ben Somerford

Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-Sung has hinted at a departure from Old Trafford, and claimed he only has a few years left in the game.

The South Korean star retired from international football after the 2011 Asian Cup and only has one more year left on his current deal with Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

There were reports last month that Park is likely to sign an extension with United when he returns to the club for their pre-season tour of the United States in August, but the 30-year-old has also been linked with Spanish duo Sevilla and Atletico Madrid.

However, Park told reporters ahead of his charity match in Vietnam he was open to the idea of moving to another club before retirement.

"I won't be able to show my best after one or two years. I don't know how long I can stay at Manchester," said Park.

"I never thought about retirement but it's obvious that I don't have much time left as a player.”

He added: "According to circumstances, I might leave Manchester United and retire in another team.”

Borussia Dortmund open talks over new contract with Manchester United target Shinji Kagawa

The Japan international, who made such a superb impact in his first six months in Germany before injury struck, wants to extend the terms of his deal with the German champions

By Gary Niblock

Japan international midfielder Shinji Kagawa has opened talks with German champions Borussia Dortmund with the intention of signing an extension to his current contract that runs out in the summer of 2013.

Kagawa, who joined Dortmund from Cerezo Osaka for €350,000 [£310,000] last summer, proved an instant hit in his first six months in Germany. He now wants to put his future on a more secure footing, in the wake of reported interest from several foreign teams, including Manchester United.

"We have already had an initial conversation with Dortmund director of football Michael Zorc,” Kagawa's agent Thomas Kroth told Bild.
“Both parties are interested in a longer-term contract.”
Kroth also said that the 22-year-old is eagerly waiting for the 2011-12 season.
He added: "Shinji is really looking forward to the new campaign and the great atmosphere in the Signal-Iduna-Park. The contract talks will probably resume sometime during pre-season."
Kagawa, who scored eight league goals in his first season, made a substitute appearance in Dortmund's final Bundesliga game against Eintracht Frankfurt having been out since January with a broken foot.

Stuart Pearce reveals England manager Fabio Capello is a 'big fan' of Manchester United's Danny Welbeck

The Under-21 boss praises the young striker's work-rate and believes that the former Sunderland loan star is "a real package" ahead of Sunday's clash with the Czech Republic

By Gill Clark

England Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce has revealed that Fabio Capello is a “big fan” of Manchester Unitedstriker Danny Welbeck and has tipped the 20-year-old to have a bright future in the game.

The striker is currently on Under-21 duty in Denmark preparing for the Young Lions’ final group match against the Czech Republic on Sunday night.

Whilst Welbeck is the only player to score for England in the tournament so far, he was also guilty of a bad miss in the 0-0 draw with Ukraine and Pearce revealed how he had been motivating the striker.

"I put him on the pitch away to Greece in the qualification campaign [as a first-half substitute for Daniel Sturridge]. He wasn't running around so I substituted him back off. When you do that to any player, it hurts,” he said according to The Guardian.

“I spoke to him after the game and said that when you enter the pitch for England you have to work harder than you did. It was a gamble on my behalf but it's worked.

“He's rolled his sleeves up and his work-rate is sensational and he's got goals and talent and physically he's difficult to handle. I think he's got a real package about him and I know Fabio's a real big fan of his."

Meanwhile, Welbeck has himself admitted that England have been poor in possession in the tournament so far but is looking forward to testing himself against the Czechs.

"The team's not had great possession of the ball at times so I've not really got on to the ball as much as I'd like," he said.

"But I'm looking forward to getting the ball a bit more, moving across the pitch, getting a few more passes in and then hopefully dropping off into the angles and getting in behind the defence.

"If they want to give some out, we'll give it back to them and then beat them with technical ability.”

Aston Villa eye move for Manchester United defender Wes Brown (report)

The Red Devils stalwart is believed to be leaving Old Trafford after 15 years with the club and could be heading south to Villa Park, with Sunderland also said to be interested

New Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish is reportedly interested in making Manchester United defender Wes Brown one of his first signings since swapping Birmingham City for Villa Park.

According to skysports.com, the Scot is currently devising his transfer strategy and has his eyes set on the versatile defender who he feels could become a useful part of the squad.

Brown looks set to depart Manchester United this summer, the club he joined in 1996, and has already been linked with a move to Sunderland as part of a triple transfer deal involving Darron Gibson and John O’Shea.

However, Bolton  have also been linked with the former England international who looks set to leave Old Trafford after falling down the pecking order and amidst reports of arguments with manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Despite some horrendous injury problems during his 15 years at the club, the 31-year-old has made over 350 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring five times, his last goal coming back in February in the narrow FA Cup win 

Tom Cleverley hopes to feature for Manchester United next season and emulate Paul Scholes

Youngster hopes to feature for nation and club at senior level after summer in Denmark and during the Red Devils' subsequent pre-season tour of America

By Nathan Lowe

Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley hopes to fulfill comparisons with a young Paul Scholes in establishing himself in the Red Devils squad next term.

The 21-year-old could feature for England against the Czech Republic during in Sunday's must-win European Under-21 Championship clash.

Cleverley hopes to become a stalwart for nation and club, beginning this summer, for many seasons to follow.

“I am working very hard at the finals with the Under 21s, and hopefully I can impress the boss at the same time," he told the People.

“Then I will go on the tour of America in July, looking to make an impact and work my way into the United.

“I spoke to the boss and he said he wants me in the team next season, and I am sure we will chat again over the summer about what his plans are for me.

“I’m just thinking about having a good season at United – but that has to start with a good summer first.”

Cleverley is yet to earn a senior cap at United having spent the last four seasons on loan.

But his time at Wigan last season made Latics coach Graham Barrow believe Cleverley could emulate Paul Scholes at United.

The young midfielder was thankful for the complement and fully intends to fill the gap left by the United legend's retirement.

"It was nice to hear that comparison from Graham," Cleverley said. "It adds a bit of pressure, but it is always nice to be likened with a quality player like Paul.

“He’s been a great player for the club and I know I have a lot of hard work to go before I get on his level. 

Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand & Steven Gerrard would all start for Barcelona, claims Everton youngster Jack Rodwell

The midfielder believes the Three Lions' stars would be shoo-ins for Pep Guardiola's European champions and insists that English players have sufficient technical ability

By Joel Lamy

Jack Rodwell believes that five England players are good enough to get into the Barcelona side.

Rodwell was responding to criticisms about England Under-21’s performance against their Spanish counterparts last Sunday, where they snatched a point with a late equaliser in a game in which they were dominated for large periods.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the match against Ukraine, the Everton midfielder praised the technical ability of some of England’s senior players and claimed that they would fit in at Camp Nou.

"You look at our senior side, we have some of the best players in the world,” he said. 

"Gerrard, Lampard, Terry, Ferdinand, Rooney, the list goes on. If they were in the Barcelona squad I'm sure all of them would start. 

"Obviously Barca play a different style of football through their grass roots. Throughout their career, the likes of Xavi and Andres Iniesta have all been taught to a play a certain way. 

"English players have been taught a different way, just like Brazil have been taught a different way. 

"But that doesn't mean to say we don't have any technical ability. We have technical ability throughout the squad." 

Rodwell compared the Under-21 tournament to the Premier League, contrasting the physical nature of the latter with the more methodical continental competition. 

He added: "The Premier League is a lot different to playing in these tournaments - it is 100mph and more physical. 

"Come to these tournaments, look at the Spanish, they are more slow-paced, keep the ball more. 

"It's not the way we play, but our players can adapt. Over the next two games, we will grow in confidence and show that technical side to the game. 

"We hoped we could against Spain. They had a lot of possession but didn't break us down. More in their half. They did play pretty football. There are certain areas where you do that. 

"Whether a one-two on the edge of the box or important possession, you have to go places with it. And in those areas I'm sure we will dominate." 

The Everton man is also confident that England can show their quality throughout the rest of the tournament and believes that the team can go one further than two years ago when they lost to Germany in the final.

Rodwell added: "This is a better squad. We've got a great bunch of lads here on and off the pitch and the team spirit is better. I think we could definitely go all the way. 

"If you get through the group you've got half the job done. So we need to win next two games, hopefully get a good draw in the semis and whoever we play in the final we will be confident."

The Gossip [Daily update]

The transfer window is open: release the rumours! Keep track of the tittle-tattle from manutd.com

Arriving
Wesley Sneijder (£35m, Inter)
Casemiro (not stated, Sao Paulo)
Teteh Bangura (not stated, AIK)
Paulo Henrique Ganso (not stated, Santos)

Running Total: 84 players, £1.182bn

Leaving
Gabriel Obertan (£3m, Newcastle)
Dimitar Berbatov (not stated, PSG, Malaga)

Running Total: 28 players, £67.3m

Sunday 7 August

19:00 Just a quick update on Wesley Sneijder and that link with City. Blues boss Roberto Mancini said after his team's Community Shield defeat to United that he is not trying to sign the Inter Milan midfielder. "No," he said. "It is not true. He is an Inter Milan player. We never spoke about him."

Saturday 6 August

17:00 Various reports in both England and France are suggesting Gabriel Obertan is poised to agree a move to Newcastle for a fee in the region of £3million.

16:00 Dimitar Berbatov has no doubts the manager knows how to replace Paul Scholes whether it's from within the camp or a new signing. "It's difficult to see the team without him but Manchester United keep moving forward and the boss, I think, has something in mind," he tells MUTV.

****************************************

Arriving 

Mikkel Diskerud (not stated, Staebek)
Douglas Costa (£15m, Shakhtar Donetsk)
Joey Barton (not stated, Newcastle)
Samir Nasri (not stated, Arsenal)
Max Lonsdale (free, unattached)


Running Total: 82 players, £1.182bn

Leaving
Sam Johnstone (loan, Oldham)


Running Total: 28 players, £64.3m

Wednesday 27 July

17:25 The Italian media claim Wesley Sneijder has dropped a hint that he could leave Inter Milan. Breaking his silence about the ongoing link with a move to Old Trafford, he has responded to comments from team-mate Dejan Stankovic urging him to announce he's staying put. "If I stay, I will take the microphone and I'll tell you," he is quoted as saying by La Repubblica. It doesn't sound earth-shattering news to us but they lead with the headline: 'Sneijder mystery' and say he has "reopened the door to a possible transfer to Manchester United". Sky Italia say the cryptic comment leaves some doubt over his future at Inter.

16:30 Shakhtar Donetsk coach Mircea Lucescu admits he may lose Douglas Costa and possibly to Roma. The Brazilian, long touted as a target for the Reds, has plenty of admirers. "I know Roma are interested," Lucescu toldRadio Kiss Kiss. "And have taken the first steps to get him. I'd rather keep him as he's only young

****************************************

Arriving

Mikkel Diskerud (not stated, Staebek)
Douglas Costa (£15m, Shakhtar Donetsk)
Joey Barton (not stated, Newcastle)
Samir Nasri (not stated, Arsenal)
Max Lonsdale (free, unattached)


Running Total: 82 players, £1.182bn

Leaving
Sam Johnstone (loan, Oldham)


Running Total: 28 players, £64.3m

Wednesday 27 July

09:00 We kick things off today with a look at alleged United target Paulo Henrique Ganso, a story fuelled by the English media and not the press in Brazil or the continent. AC Milan and PSG have always been front-runners according to the reports outside of the UK and L'Equipe claim the big-spending Ligue 1 side have reacted to having a €30m bid rejected by raising it to €40m. Santos want to keep the player until the end of the year but that's a lot of cash...

Tuesday 26 July

20:20 Hopefully you've seen the intriguing David Gill quotes by now. We published them on ManUtd.com as soon as his interview had aired on MUTV. The door, or rather the window, remains open it seems...

17:59 This Mirko Vucinic story refuses to go away. Agent Alessandro Lucci tellsLasignoraingiallorosso.it: "The meeting with Manchester United executives happened yesterday not today. In any case, it was just a fruitful chat, in which no offers were made nor are there any arrangements in principle." Lucci adds the player would like to speak to United but there would still be much work to be done to make it happen. It's worth noting Juventus are definitely in for the Roma forward.


17:33 MUTV have spoken to Reds chief executive David Gill about the US Tour and United's summer transfers. Will there be any more signings? Who is Sir Alex targeting? Watch the interview on MUTVat 18:30 BST to find out.

16:02 Now then. Italy's Sky Sports 24 are like a dog with a particularly juicy transfer bone at the minute, voraciously peddling the notion that United have held talks with Mirko Vucinic's agent in the last couple of hours. The Montenegrin has allegedly fallen out with his club, Roma, in recent weeks, and Sir Alex Ferguson's longstanding interest now looks set to spawn a bid.

****************************************

Latest rumours
Arriving 

Xabi Alonso (not stated, Cadena Ser)
Raphael Varane (£9.2m, various)
Adel Taarabt (£10m, CaughtOffside)


Running Total: 42 players, £545.5m

Leaving
Ji-sung Park (not stated, Atletico/Sevilla)
Wes Brown (not stated, Everton)
John O'Shea (£6m, Liverpool)


Running Total: 23 players, £64m

Monday, 20 June


22:03 Newly-installed Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish has virtually given up hope of persuading Ashley Young to stay at Villa Park, with the winger seemingly destined to join United. The Scot told Talksport: "It's not confirmed yet but it does seem likely. In my humble opinion it will be very difficult [for Villa to keep him]."

16:12 Ugh, sounds like we can't quite put the Alexis Sanchez saga to bed just yet, but at least Udinese president Giampoalo Pozzo is in apologetic mood. "Sanchez is still a Udinese player," he told Sky Sport 24 Italia. "I'm sorry about this saga. We wanted to keep him for another year to help us with the UEFA Champions League qualifiers.  But unfortunately we're not a big club in Europe, so when top clubs put their eyes on our player you cannot do anything. But the right offer has not yet arrived. Barcelona's offer is not yet the right price, and everyone knows it: both Barcelona and other big clubs. Between us and Barcelona we are still far away."


14:56 As all you Gossip regulars are well aware, nothing fuels this page quite like some ambiguous comments. The latest set come from Ji-sung Park, who is quoted by Goal.com as saying: "I won't be able to show my best after one or two years. I don't know how long I can stay at Manchester. I never thought about retirement but it's obvious that I don't have much time left as a player. According to circumstances, I might leave Manchester United and retire in another team." You can take that either as a revelation that he will clear his Carrington locker post-haste, or merely an admission that, at 30, he is nearer the end of his career than the start.

14:02 Luka Modric is not for sale, according to Daniel Levy. Not. For. Sale. Try telling Sports News Ireland that. They claim that Sir Alex Ferguson will dangleDimitar Berbatov in one hand and a cheque for £18million in the other, in a bid to coax the Croatian playmaker over to Old Trafford.

12:53 Hmm. Wesley Sneijder is keeping his cards pretty close to his chest.Talksport reports that the Dutch playmaker is being very cagey over his future and, when directly asked if he could join United this summer, reponded: "We shall see." Reports that then cackled, rubbed his hands and scurried over the nearest wall have not been confirmed.

12:18 Now, now, now. This one would be a turn-up for the books. Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso? At Old Trafford? Mere fantasy, or a cracking rumour from Spain's Cadena Ser? The Spanish radio station suggests United have put a blank cheque on the table and told Jose Mourinho to scrawl whatever figure he likes on it, in order to sanction the 29-year-old midfielder's move to Old Trafford.

12:02 Massimo Moratti's mood has perked up from a week ago, when he admitted he was 'sad' to hear comments linking Wesley Sneijder with the San Siro exit door. "I have spoken to all three of them and all told me that they want to continue with us," the Internazionale president told Gazzetta dello Sport, perhaps lovingly stroking a picture of Sneijder, Samuel Eto'o and Maicon. "We are in the transfer window and we are focused on everything and everyone, including which players to buy."