altooooon

Sir Alex has striker concern



Sir Alex Ferguson has conceded that he is concerned by United's dearth of fit and available strikers.

Currently, Carlos Tevez is the Reds' only established striker. Wayne Rooney has been laid low with a virus and Louis Saha is yet to play a part in pre-season for United.

In the last four pre-season matches Sir Alex has used Carlos Tevez with either Ryan Giggs or Fraizer Campbell up front.

Campbell has shown plenty of promise this summer, and indeed last season on loan at Hull City, while Ryan Giggs has experience playing the forward role. But the situation up front remains far from ideal.

"It is a concern," the boss said. "Wayne will probably miss the start of the season and Louis Saha’s future is undecided at the moment. It's left us a little short up front."

United failed to score against Juventus on Wednesday, but the Reds have scored 13 goals in eight games in pre-season and Sir Alex remains confident that the goals will come when the title defence kicks off against Newcastle on Sunday 17 August.

He said: "I’m sure we’ll find the goals at the start of the season though - our play is good enough."

altooooon

Ronaldo: The full interview



Cristiano Ronaldo has spoken at length about his future and this summer's speculation in an interview with Publico, a newspaper in his native Portugal.

Here, with Publico's kind permission, is the full transcript:

Sir Alex Ferguson said this week it was "the end of the matter." Is this true?

"Yes. My coach was kind enough to come and see me in Lisbon a few days ago, which I think is common knowledge. It was a very honest conversation between two people that respect one other and that I'm sure share a mutual affection and friendship. What we said to each other will remain private. Sir Alex listened to me, I listened to him and we established that the best for both sides would be for me to continue at Old Trafford. So, I can confirm that I'll be playing for Manchester United next season. And before there are any rumours about me staying against my will, I want to make one thing clear: whoever says or writes anything to that effect is lying. I'll be playing at United with my heart and soul. I will fight and honour the shirt with the same desire and dedication as I always have."

How do you think the people at Real Madrid will feel about this?

"I want to say that I was the one that was responsible for all this controversy. It wasn't their fault because it was me that said publicly that I wanted to move to Real Madrid. It was also me, although wholly unintentionally, that caused the friction between the two clubs."

Your statements this summer demonstrated your desire to leave United and move to Madrid. What did you actually want?

"I knew that Real Madrid were interested in signing me and that they had, allegedly, made a very substantial offer to United. For a while, I wanted Manchester to accept the offer and for me to move to Madrid. If I denied it I would be deceiving everyone, including myself. Anyone who knows me knows that it would have to be something very important for me to admit such a thing. If there's one thing I've never been - nor do I ever want to be - it is ungrateful. Manchester United - from the Glazer family, the directors, namely David Gill, to the coaches, team-mates and backroom staff - is a club that will always be dear to my heart. Whatever happens in the future, that will never change. I'm very aware of what this club has done for me and I'll be eternally grateful, come what may. But it was because of this, because I knew this club was different and extraordinarily human, that I hoped that my wishes and my reasons would be understood."

What were the reasons that made you want to leave?

"After we'd won the Champions League, I felt that in five years I had helped win everything there was to win. We'd won the Premier League twice and I'd won a host of individual awards, including the best goalscorer in the Premier League, Champions League and in Europe. So I felt that maybe I needed a new challenge. I never hid the fact that I wanted to play in Spain, at Real Madrid in particular, and I thought this could be the right moment. United and Real are probably the two biggest clubs in the world and it would never be an easy decision to make. Apart from the challenge, everyone realises that Spanish and Portuguese culture and lifestyle are more similar. Those were the reasons that made me consider the change."

Nothing else? The attraction of an even more generous wage that Real Madrid are said to be willing to pay, for example?

"I'm aware that, whatever the circumstances, there will always be speculation about me. I knew that there would always be someone who'd say that my main concern was making more money. Others would insist that my vanity couldn't resist being linked to the biggest transfer fee of all time at the age of 23. Of course I am proud to see my work recognised, but none of this had any major effect on what I wanted. In fact, if it was just a question of money, I would never leave United.

"Apart from the reasons I've just given, I also have to recognise that my family would welcome the change. The chance of being an hour's flight from my mother and the rest of my family was very attractive, even more so playing for a club like Real Madrid. I know I have to deal with these circumstances, even though it's difficult sometimes, but it's harder to ask the same of the people I love the most. The best proof of what I've just said is the fact that I've just made a major investment in a house in Manchester, even though I didn't have to. I did it not just for my own comfort but also for those closest to me. The people at United, particularly the manager, understood my reasons. But we all eventually concluded that I should continue to wear that number 7 shirt. It's no sacrifice for me, it's a great honour. I have important things to win in England. I will give everything I have to United. I want to defend the European Cup and help United become world champions, not forgetting the league and other cups."

Are you afraid of the reception you'll get from the United fans?

"No, to be honest. It's possible but I hope it doesn't happen. I know I'm a good professional, I know that no one's harder on me than myself and that's never going to change, under any circumstances. The high point of my career was winning the Champions League. No one will ever erase that from my memory, in the same way that no one will ever erase the fact that I did it in a United shirt. What I said publicly, which was maybe a little naive, I take total responsibility for. People have to understand one thing: at the age of 18 I arrived at a dream club like United. It was a dream come true. But, even at that moment, I was thinking about playing in England for some years and then going to play in Spain. Even at that time I was thinking that way, and I always gave 100% everything. Why lie? I'm not going to be a hypocrite and say the opposite of what I think, like some others do. I said exactly what I thought: I have a dream of playing at Real and I thought it was time to move on. People can't be upset about me fulfilling a childhood dream."

But would it be fair for United to lose you while you are still under contract?

"I'm very aware of what this club has done for me. I'll be forever grateful. United and its fans can be sure that I'll never forget them, no matter what happens. They're special and they'll always have a place here [puts hand on heart]. In fact, I confess that one of the reasons I had the courage to say what I did was the fact that United would be fairly compensated. The figure mentioned, which would be a world record, would serve as some compensation for the debt of gratitude that I owe the club, as least in material terms. I'm going to say something here that I've never told anybody: if we hadn't been European champions I probably wouldn't have even thought about going to Madrid. And there is something else that should be mentioned: I never wanted to leave against United's will. When they turned down the offer, the people at United made it very clear how much they wanted me. I didn't fully understand it at the time, but now I can really appreciate it."

But you agreed with Sepp Blatter when the president of Fifa said that long-term contracts between players and clubs were a form of "modern slavery"?

"That makes no sense, nor do I believe that's what he meant, as he himself has already stated. My comment was about something else. I was saying that players should be where they feel happy. Nothing more."

Sir Alex was always intransigent and denied any possibility of a transfer...

"Believe me, it makes me proud to know how much he thinks of me. And he knows I feel exactly the same way about him. He has been one of the most important people in my playing career. Not only because of what I've learnt and continue to learn from him in sporting terms but also in human ones as well. I love the passion he has for football. If it were humanly possible I would like to have him always by my side. Of course it's not possible but it shows how much affection, admiration and respect I have for him. He has always been like a second father to me at United. I'll never forget it was him that explained the significance of the number 7 United shirt, which will always be my shirt. When I was at Sporting I had a number of offers, some of them very lucrative. One of them offered eight million Euros just as a signing on fee and meant that I would play for Sporting for one more year and then leave as a free agent. But money isn't everything. Real, Barcelona, Inter, Milan, Juventus, Valencia and practically all the big clubs were also interested.

"At the time, Jorge Mendes explained that United also wanted me and that Sir Alex Ferguson had told him that he would be very careful with my playing career. So I would play at least 50% of the games in the first season, which is what happened. This shows that I also chose United and that money wasn't the deciding factor. Alongside my agent [Mendes], Sir Alex Ferguson has been the most important person I've ever known in my career. Because of this, because of the special relationship that exists between us, I know that he'll understand that there are times when a father has to worry only about what's best for his child."

The Spanish press continues to say that your future is at Real Madrid...

"There's no point in making predictions. It's not worth speculating because nothing is set in stone and things change all the time in football. Today there are opportunities that no one knows if they will come round again in the future. There are only two certainties: I'll be playing at United, a club I'm proud to represent; Real Madrid will continue to be a great club without me and I will continue to admire them, as I have done since I was a boy. I'm saying what I think and I hope that all the speculation will stop. The press has written some terrible things about me and about this whole thing. They've invented a thousand and one things and that's one of the reasons why I decided to talk about this now. You can be sure of one thing: everything I've said comes from the bottom of my heart and is the only truth."

Which means you don't exclude the possibility the dream of playing for Madrid?

"I'm 100% professional and I've always given my heart and soul to this club. I even played a major part of the season injured, which was verified by my operation. I played in excruciating pain while taking anti-inflammatory medication every day. And I'd do it again if necessary. This club deserves it because the United staff and the fans are fantastic, not forgetting the affection and respect I have for Sir Alex Ferguson. If one day I leave the club, I want to do it knowing that I did everything I could to help the club win as much as possible. If that happens, I'll leave with the feeling of having done my duty to the maximum."

Cristiano was speaking to Publico.

altooooon

Edwin banks on defence



Edwin van der Sar is hopeful that United's defence can compensate for the injury crisis that has decimated the Reds' attacking options.

With Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ji-sung Park and Danny Welbeck injured, Anderson and Dong at the Olympics and Nani suspended, the Reds have only Carlos Tevez and Ryan Giggs who can boast fitness and experience in forward roles.

United have mustered only one goal in recent friendlies against Espanyol and Juventus, but the sharpness displayed at the other end of the field - which has yielded six clean sheets in eight friendlies - has van der Sar full of confidence.

Speaking after Wednesday's goalless draw with Juve, the Dutchman told MUTV: "Maybe we were lacking a little bit of firepower up front – we had one or two strikers injured or sick. But we didn’t give away a lot of chances and that was good, to have a strong defence is something you can build on.

"You always hope to have a full squad so you can choose from as many players as possible but that’s not the case at the moment, so you have to make do with the players who are available. Of course the quality is still there.

"We had a big squad last year and we know sometimes players will have injuries. That’s when people have to step up and hopefully it will work that way again this season."

Van der Sar looked sharp in only his second pre-season outing, and he feels far better for getting more match action under his belt ahead of Sunday's Community Shield clash with Portsmouth.

"I’m feeling much better now," he said. "That was much better than my first game. I felt a bit rusty then – today was good. Now I have another three days to train, then the Community Shield and another week until Newcastle. That’s the main aim, the one we’re focussing on. We hope to get as many players from illness and injury back before then."

Reds' pre-season record
v Aberdeen (won 2-0)
v Kaizer Chiefs (drew 1-1)
v Orlando Pirates (won 1-0)
v Kaizer Chiefs (won 4-0)
v Portsmouth (won 2-1)
v Espanyol (won 1-0)
v Peterborough (won 2-0)
v Juventus (drew 0-0)

Full record
P8 W6 D2 L0 F13 A2

altooooon

Papers: Foreign rule?

Ferguson backing Lions
Alex Ferguson blasted suggestions that England’s international failure is down to too many foreigners in the Premier League. FIFA chief Sepp Blatter wants to cut the number of stars from abroad by using a quota rule. But Manchester United boss Fergie said: “I did not start the Champions League final with six Englishmen because I was making a political statement. I did it because they’re good enough to win the European Cup. It is nonsense to say England do not have players capable of competing on the international stage."
Ross Gregory, The Sun

The Sun also says Wayne Rooney looked in Rood health (geddit?!) as he filmed a TV advert in Manchester yesterday. Rooney has been suffering from a virus recently, but the Sun says he appeared to be feeling "smiles better".

The Daily Mirror says Ronaldo, Lampard and Adebayor will have to win over the boo boys this season.

Spanish side Real Madrid are "unaccustomed to suffering a bloodied nose in their annual tussles for the world's leading footballers", according to the Daily Telegraph, who claim Real have not given up their fight to sign Cristiano Ronaldo.

altooooon

New feature: 12 O'Clock Blog

It's 12 o'clock in Manchester which means it's time for... the 12 O'Clock Blog.

This new feature, starting Monday, will see the ManUtd.com team foregoing an early lunch at the staff canteen to bring you insightful comment and sometimes inane ramblings about all things United and the wider world of football.

We'll be publishing a new blog each weekday at 12 o'clock on ManUtd.com - hence the ingenious title, the 12 O'Clock Blog. The new page design will be a tad more creative - we persuaded our designers to put down their frizbee, stop harping on about Helvetica and Comic Sans and open their pencil cases.

The blogs will be written by all sorts of people including journalists, players, coaches, ex-players, MUTV presenters and you, the supporters.

For your blogs, we'll create a special forum on our Talking Reds message board where you can discuss that day's blog or post your own on any subject of your choice. If we like your blog, we'll publish it on ManUtd.com.

The first instalment of our brand new feature will be on the website on Monday 11 August at - remember? - 12 o'clock. That's British summer time, of course. So, that's the nine o'clock at night blog in Sydney, the five o'clock in the evening blog in Islamabad, the one o'clock blog in Oslo... I could go on.

So be sure to come back to ManUtd.com on Monday, and every weekday for that matter, for the 12 O'Clock Blog. At 12 o'clock. Got it?

altooooon

Pilgrims snap up Cathcart



Young Reds centre-back Craig Cathcart has joined Plymouth Argyle on a six-month loan deal.

The Northern Ireland U21 international will look to gain first-team experience with the Championship club under the supervision of manager Paul Sturrock.

Cathcart goes straight into the Plymouth squad to face Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday in the opening league fixture of the season.

The 19-year-old, who won the 2007 Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award at United, is highly rated at Old Trafford. He emerged through the youth ranks as captain of the U18s, before excelling in the Reds reserves.

The Belfast-born defender is no stranger to loan spells, having enjoyed half season in Belgium's second division with Royal Antwerp. A spell in the Championship will help progress his career even further.

"Craig is a big cente-half that we have been watching from afar," revealed Plymouth boss Sturrock on the Pilgrims' website. "He is a good centre-half with good qualities, and you don't play for Manchester United if you're not of a very decent standard. I am very happy to bring the boy on board and it is up to him to get himself in the team."

At a glance
Born: 6 February 1989
Birthplace: Belfast, Northern Ireland
Position: Central defender
Appearances/goals: 0/0
Signed: 1 July, 2005
International: Northern Ireland U21

altooooon

Carrick on his way to Wembley



Sir Alex Ferguson's injury concerns are beginning to ease as United prepare to kick off 2008/09 on Sunday in the Community Shield clash with Portsmouth.

The squad for Wembley will be bolstered by the return of Michael Carrick - the midfielder trained on Thursday after recovering from the virus that also waylaid Wayne Rooney.

"Carrick trained yesterday for the first time and I'm taking him to Wembley," said Sir Alex.

"Hopefully I'll give him some minutes on the pitch. If he is feeling good then we have to get some minutes on the clock for him ahead of next week against Newcastle."

Wayne Rooney is now also clear of the virus but he returned to training only today (Friday) after missing every session since the Reds returned from Africa on 28 July.

"We have a big job to get him ready for Newcastle," said Sir Alex, "but with seven or eight days training, we may just make it now. He's much better and the medical reports are good.

"Gary Neville and Nani are fit and they will travel. Nani will probably start on Sunday because he is suspended for the first two league games of the season.

"Owen Hargreaves is not ready. He should be OK for Portsmouth away (on Monday 25 August), that's the time frame we've put on it.

"Ben Foster had a bit of swelling in his knee which you can sometimes get after a cruciate knee injury. We're trying to manage that but he's not ready yet to play in games. It's unfortunate for the lad because he was looking forward to an uninterrupted run."

altooooon

Ronaldo's here for years to come



Having ensured that Cristiano Ronaldo will remain a United player this season, Sir Alex Ferguson feels the Portuguese winger will find it harder and harder to leave the club the longer he remains a Red.

The United boss was in an open and frank mood when quizzed about Ronny’s recent pledge of allegiance to the club, following a summer of intense speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid.

Ronaldo's interview with Portuguese newspaper Publico earlier this week has, according to Sir Alex, drawn a line under the affair.

“We’re happy,” the Reds boss said at a press conference on Friday. “His interview was very good. From my perspective, he explained himself perfectly. As I said on Wednesday, the matter is now closed. He’s a Manchester United player and he’s happy to be here. He’s always been happy here. It’s just the unfortunate participation of Real Madrid in his life that has made it difficult for him.”

The United manager was equally bullish when presented with the notion that a repeat episode of Real Madrid's forthright pursuit of the player could take place next summer.

“The important thing is that we have ended all the stuff about Real Madrid,” he said defiantly. “As he gets older, I think Cristiano will appreciate being here more and more. That happens with players the longer they stay here. They don’t want to leave.

“If you look at Rio Ferdinand, who joined us as a young man from Leeds United, that’s exactly what has happened to him. He is now a real Manchester United person. He loves the club. And he comes from another country… he comes from London! It’s a different world there. There’s not a lot of difference from someone leaving London or Portugal and coming to Manchester. You come north, you get a colder climate, a wetter climate. But you come to a real football city, which very few cities can say.”

Ronaldo, who is now back in Manchester and on a rehabilitation programme following ankle surgery over the summer, will pull on a United shirt again hopefully by the end of September. That is testimony to United and Sir Alex’s resolute stance.

“I think they (Real Madrid) now know they’re dealing with a different animal," added the boss. "I can’t deny that it was an important issue. There are very few players that have left me against my will. I’d have to think seriously about that one.

"It’s unusual for anyone to want to leave Manchester United. Cristiano realises that, too. We had a good meeting over in Portugal and clarified a lot of things. He was good, and I was pleased with that. That’s why I was confident that everything was going to be all right.

“As I’ve said, Cristiano will settle down and enjoy his career here. He’s got four years on his contract, and hopefully at some point we would like to extend it. That’s where we are.”

altooooon

Striker options growing

United's lack of options up front may not be long lasting last if Sir Alex Ferguson's plans - which involve a new signing before the transfer deadline - fall into place.

The Reds boss currently has Carlos Tevez as his only regular striker fully fit for the start of the season against Newcastle next weekend.

But it's not all as bad as it looks. Wayne Rooney returned to training on Friday and has an outside chance of making the match, while Louis Saha is on a new fitness programme. Sir Alex also has "three or four" transfer options and has also discussed the possibility of getting a work permit for Manucho.

"We are looking at three or four different options in the striking department which I hope will come to a happy conclusion," said Sir Alex. "Hopefully we will have someone in for the start of the season."

That would certainly enhance United's firepower. However, Sir Alex is also keen to make use of the significant talent already at the club - Saha being a prime example.

"You don't want to give up on people like that just because they have had a few injuries," he said. "When he is fit, Louis is an explosive player who will guarantee 20 goals a season.

"Louis is on a programme at the moment which we feel will get him to 100% fitness. It is more about his confidence in doing this programme which will get him back playing all the time. Hopefully that is the case because he is such a fantastic player."

altooooon

Wembley player ratings



ManUtd.com's Steve Bartram assesses how United's players fared in the Community Shield victory over Portsmouth at Wembley...

Edwin van der Sar
A virtual spectator throughout the entire match, United's penalty talisman could even have spent the shootout on a deckchair as Pompey squandered their chances.

Gary Neville
The skipper looked sharp in his first competitive start since March 2007. Neville was booked for a hefty challenge on John Utaka before being subbed after 66 minutes.

Rio Ferdinand
Barely broke a sweat in keeping Peter Crouch on a tight leash, dominating the Pompey new boy in the air and on the deck. As imperious as ever.

Nemanja Vidic
The one time Vida allowed perpetual pain Jermain Defoe some room, he did superbly to chase back and reel him in. Booked for hoofing the ball away, but otherwise impeccable.

Patrice Evra
Probably the star performer of the first half, with his staggering fitness levels clear for all to see as he rampaged up and down the left flank.

Darren Fletcher
Got forward with great intent and had United's best pair of chances. Although Fletch mis-timed his sliding effort in the first half, only a stunning save from James denied him later.

John O'Shea
A quietly effective display from the Irishman, who regularly prevented Pompey from building any attacking momentum and lent attacking support when circumstances allowed.

Paul Scholes
The Reds' timeless lockpicker coped well with Lassana Diarra's energy and exuded his usual string-pulling cool.

Nani
The Portuguese winger terrorised the Pompey defence throughout, particularly in the first half, and his attacking threat will be missed against Newcastle next Sunday.

Carlos Tevez
Having starred all pre-season, the bustling Argentine should have had a penalty, could have had a couple of goals and generally ran the show in United's attack.

Ryan Giggs
A record seventh Community Shield for Giggs, who outsmarted the Pompey defence time and again, and was one of the Reds' most potent attacking threats.

Wes Brown (sub, 66 mins)
A seamless replacement for Neville, Wes had little to do defensively in his 24 minute cameo.

Michael Carrick (sub, 66 mins)
Lent more attacking creativity. Another shootout, another goal for the classy midfielder.

Fraizer Campbell (sub, 79 mins)
Unfortunate not to score after cleverly making space, and showed plenty of graft.

What did you think? Vote for your Man of the Match, then discuss it on Talking Reds.

altooooon

Report: United 0 Pompey 0

United lifted the Community Shield for a record-extending 13th time, after overcoming Portsmouth in a penalty shootout at Wembley Stadium.

The Reds dominated for long spells against Harry Redknapp's side, but found themselves frustrated by another superb display from Pompey goalkeeper David James, who made fine second-half saves from Darren Fletcher and Carlos Tevez.

The England international was unable to extend his heroics into the shootout, however, as Tevez, Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick all found the net, while Pompey missed three of their four kicks.

In normal time, the only clear opening of the first 45 minutes fell to Fletcher after Nani superbly robbed Glenn Johnson and crossed into the box. In sliding to reach the ball, Fletcher ended up stubbing his effort into the ground and effectively blocking his own shot.

United's dominance continued in the second period, with James called upon to superbly tip Fletcher's chip onto the crossbar and then clutch the rebound gratefully as Tevez managed to head an effort goalwards.

James made another stunning fingertip save to turn a Tevez effort wide of his right-hand post shortly afterwards, before Jermain Defoe burst through on goal in a rare Pompey attack, only to be denied by fine tracking back from Vidic.

With 15 minutes remaining, United should have been given the chance to win the game from the spot when Hermann Hreidarsson inexplicably held onto Tevez's leg inside the area, but ref Peter Walton saw no wrong.

Although John Utaka notched Pompey's first shot on target after 77 minutes (!), the impetus was still all United's. Substitute Fraizer Campbell fashioned space for himself but fired over the bar, and the Reds kept pressing until the very end.

Penalties were required though and, having triumphed against Chelsea in last year's Shield and the Champions League final, United had every cause to be confident. Serial spot-kick hero Edwin van der Sar was only required to make one save - from Arnold Mvuemba - as Lassana Diarra and Glenn Johnson both blazed their kicks over.

Johnson's miss sealed a 13th outright Community Shield triumph for the Reds - they've also shared five Shields - and ensured a silver-lined start to the 2008/09 season.

The teams

Manchester United: Van der Sar; Neville (Brown 67), Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Fletcher, O'Shea (Carrick 67), Scholes, Nani (Campbell 79); Giggs, Tevez.
Subs not used: Kuszczak, J Evans, Possebon, R da Silva.
Booked: Vidic, Neville

Portsmouth: James; Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson (Lauren 80); Diop, Mendes (Mvuemba 76), Diarra, Kranjcar (Utaka 60); Crouch, Defoe.
Subs not used: Ashdown, Sahar, Cranie, Traore.
Booked: Distin

altooooon

Papers: Striker search

Manc to blank
They Started as they mean to go on, collecting yet more silverware without even breaking stride. But with a penalty shoot-out victory as far removed from the drama of Moscowas you could possibly get allowing Gary Neville to lift the Community Shield, Sir Alex Ferguson will know the big questions are still to come. Yes, United could have won by five or six, rather than having to watch Portsmouth capitulate from 12 yards - and probably would have done so without David James. But someone has to come up with the goals Ronaldo brought to the table last term - and 42 is a tally he cannot beexpected to repeat even when he does return.
Martin Lipton, The Mirror

The Mirror also says United are about to step up the hunt to sign Dimitar Berbatov, while Herman Hreidarsson has accused Carlos Tevez of deliberately stamping on him in Sunday's Community Shield clash.

The Guardian says Sir Alex Ferguson is "still optimistic he can add a striker to his squad before the start of the Premier League season". He suggested United are "looking at options elsewhere" as Tottenham continue to resist his attempts to sign Dimitar Berbatov," according to the paper.

altooooon

Ex-Red wins £4.3m pay-out



Former United winger Ben Collett has been awarded more than £4.5million in compensation after his career was cut short due to injury.

The 23-year-old, 18 at the time of the injury, broke his leg in a Reserve match against Middlesbrough over five years ago.

The former Academy Player of the Year was described by Sir Alex Ferguson as an "outstanding" player, while Gary Neville compared Ben to a young Ryan Giggs.

At London's High Court, Mrs Justice Swift initially awarded £4.3m in compensation. The court also ruled that the final sum payable to Collett, which will be decided when sums for future loss of pension and interest on past loss of earnings are determined at a hearing in October, was unlikely to be less than £4.5m.

The judge said: "During his 11 years at Manchester United, he had impressed players and staff at all levels, from Sir Alex Ferguson and Mr Gary Neville to the contemporaries who played alongside him."

Collett joined United at the age of nine and, after working his way through the Academy ranks, went on to play in the Reds' FA Youth Cup-winning side in 2003.

Tragically, however, he broke his right leg in two places on his debut for United's Reserves in May that year.

Next month Ben starts an English degree at Leeds University.

altooooon

Giggsy looks to Magpies test

Ryan Giggs was quick to move on after picking up his record seventh Community Shield winner's medal, fixing his sights on next Sunday's Premier League title defence opener against Newcastle.

While the Wembley showpiece has a trophy well worth winning, Giggs concedes that it's far more useful as a springboard for the commencement of another new season.

"It means a lot [to win it]," he told Setanta Sports. "You want to get off to a good start and you don't want to lose it.

"At the end of the day it's really for fitness and it's the last game before the start of the season, but it's really nice to win it as well.

"We want to start from where we left off last season. It'll be difficult, it always is in the Premier League, the Champions League and the cups. Every competition is difficult and you have to prepare right and have that hunger, and I'm sure the lads have got that."

Having watched close friend and long-term colleague Gary Neville start his first competitive fixture in almost 18 months, Giggs is hopeful that the Reds' club captain will be among those gearing up to face Newcastle next Sunday.

"It was a great game for Gary to play in," said the winger. "He's played a couple of games in pre-season and it's a really good test of his fitness. He'll be ready for next week. Hopefully nobody will pick up any knocks and we'll all be ready for next week."

altooooon

Papers: Berba deal close?

Berbatov row leaves United light
Manchester United are determined to complete the signing of Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham Hotspur before the start of the new Barclays Premier League campaign this weekend. Tottenham are understood to be resigned to losing Berbatov, but, having rejected an official bid of £20.5million from United last month, they maintain that they will not sell for less than £30million. Berbatov is determined to move to Old Trafford, having made clear his ambition to play Champions League football. United have been linked with a bid to sign Thierry Henry, the former Arsenal forward, from Barcelona, but the most likely alternative to Berbatov this summer is Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.
Oliver Kay, The Times

The Premier League has opened an inquiry into Tottenham's claims that United tried to unsettle Dimitar Berbatov (Daily Mail). But, the paper says, United remain confident there is no case to answer.

The Mirror believes Sir Alex Ferguson will pursue a second bid for Valencia winger David Silva, despite having a £20million bid turned down. However, The Times says a deal is highly unlikely as sources in Spain suggest the 22-year-old is widely expected to join Barcelona if he does leave Valencia.

Gary Neville thinks United are on for a third consecutive title (The Sun). He says: "When you’ve got players who are able to beat opponents one-on-one like we have throughout our squad, that’s the most intimidating thing."

Ian Wright says he wouldn't blame Thierry Henry for joining United despite his strong Arsenal links.

All the papers pick up on the High Court ruling that former Reds winger Ben Collett be awarded £4.3m compensation after a tackle ended his career.