Manchester Utd

Rooney 'making perfect recovery'
England's team doctor says Wayne Rooney is making a "perfect recovery" from his broken foot and has every chance of playing at this summer's World Cup. The 20-year-old Manchester United striker will have a scan on the injury on Thursday to check its progress. However, Dr Leif Sward told The Sun: "Everything points to a perfect recovery. I have the highest hopes for Rooney and the World Cup. "I hope I can give a perfect answer after the next MRI scan on Thursday." Rooney's World Cup place was put in doubt when he suffered the broken bone playing for United at Chelsea on 29 April - and initial reports said he would be out for at least six weeks. Since then, he has spent time in an oxygen chamber to encourage the bone to heal more quickly and has been named in England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson's 23-man World Cup squad. He has not kicked a ball since suffering the injury and Sward said this would remain the rule until it was entirely safe for the forward to do so. "He is not allowed to do that or anything else that could make his foot worse before Thursday's examination," he said. "but he can put pressure on his foot now with the special protection he is wearing. "I hope everything has healed well and I can say everything points in that direction. "This healing process has been very, very good." Meanwhile, Sir Bobby Charlton said playing Rooney at the World Cup could be "disastrous" for Manchester United. The 68-year-old, who is a director at Old Trafford, says the club will not rush the England striker back. "It would appear his treatment has gone well and it could well be he could play some part in the World Cup," he said. "But to make a mistake and play him before he's fit would be absolutely disastrous. More disastrous for United, than for England." "We will look very, very carefully at it and he will not be allowed to play unless he's fully fit. That is a certainty."

Milan 'eyeing Van Nistelrooy bid'
AC Milan are contemplating a move for Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy as a replacement for Chelsea-bound Andriy Shevchenko. Van Nistelrooy is reported to have fallen out with United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, while Shevchenko is about to begin talks with Chelsea. "Van Nistelrooy is the man we want," an AC Milan spokesman is quoted as saying in The Sun newspaper. "He is one of the few players in the world who could replace Sheva." Van Nistelrooy, who has scored 150 goals in 200 starts for United since joining five years ago, has said he will not make any decisions about his future until after next month's World Cup. The striker often had to settle for a place on the bench in the second half of last season and left United's final game against Charlton before kick-off. Van Nistelrooy claims he was asked to leave the team hotel and was subsequently told he would not be allowed to appear in Roy Keane's testimonial. The club are yet to comment on the situation, but after the Charlton game, Ferguson explained there had been "a couple of issues during the week that concerned us in terms of the spirit of the club". Last week, former United striker Dwight Yorke said he expected Ferguson to make the right decision over Van Nistelrooy, no matter how ruthless it may appear. "Sir Alex only sees what is right for Manchester United," Yorke told BBC Radio Five. "If he sees Ruud as an asset to the club, he will stay. I don't see Ruud leaving, but if Alex thinks otherwise, that's how it is." Yorke left United after being frozen out by Ferguson, who has reportedly fallen out with Van Nistelrooy. "The manager is a winner, I respect him greatly. He sees things about people," added Yorke. "It was no different for me, or Ruud and Jaap Stam. When he sees your time is up he only thinks about Manchester United and his players." Yorke joined United in 1998 from Aston Villa for £12.6m and forged a productive partnership with Andy Cole, helping United to the treble in 1999. But in 2002, after two disappointing seasons at the club, Yorke was told he had no future at the club. After leaving Old Trafford, Yorke played for Blackburn and Birmingham, before joining Australian club Sydney FC.

Fortune begins Celtic discussions
South African international Quinton Fortune has arrived at Celtic Park to discuss a move to the SPL champions. The 29-year-old was released by Manchester United after failing to hold down a regular first-team place following a knee injury. Fortune, who can play in midfield or left-back, is also being courted by Bolton Wanderers and Manchester City. But he was impressed with what he saw of Celtic Park during an informal meeting with Gordon Strachan. "We don't know if they will make an offer straight away, but Quinton is keeping an open mind on things," said his agent Francis Martin. "We have to make sure everything is right from a financial point of view and also from a football point of view, especially from the football side of things because Quinton just wants to play regularly again. "He has been injured, so his priority is to get fit for the pre-season and play first-team football on a regular basis. "If an offer is on the table then he will have to decide whether he wants to stay in the north-west of England or a clean break and try a new league altogether. "I will sit down with Quinton and his wife and he will have a decision to make. "But I can't really say whether Quinton is leaning towards Celtic or not. "There are plusses there, but there are plusses at other clubs who are interested." Fortune had described his visit, following a request from former United team-mate Roy Keane, as "terrific".

Ronaldo linked with Madrid switch
Cristiano Ronaldo has said he would leave Manchester United for Real Madrid, Spanish paper Marca claims. \"I've told my agent I'm prepared to go. I dream of playing for Madrid,\" he was quoted as saying by the newspaper. Real presidential candidate Juan Miguel Villar Mir has targeted Ronaldo but a United spokeswoman said: \"He has a deal until 2010 and is our player. \"He'll be a United player next season. Unfortunately these tactics seem common in elections of this nature.\" According to Marca, the Portuguese winger claims he would open talks with presidential candidate Villar Mir if he wins the club election on Sunday. Villar Mir is a former Spanish finance minister and vice-president of the club. He is running for the presidency with former world rallying champion Carlos Sainz as his vice-presidential candidate, and claimed United knew all about his interest in Ronaldo. \"Manchester United know that we are talking with him,\" he said. But United utterly denied any contact with anyone in Madrid over the player. \"Manchester United are astonished with Juan Miguel Villar Mir's comments,\" said a club statement. \"There has been no contact between Manchester United and his election team or Real Madrid, and any suggestion there has been is incorrect.\" Villar Mir faces competition for the presidency from former president Lorenzo Sanz, along with three others. And as the battle for the 65,000 votes hots up, Sanz claimed on Tuesday he has agreed a deal with Inter Milan owner Massimo Moratti to take Adriano to the Bernabeu if his bid for control is successful. Meanwhile, Arturo Baldasano, a lawyer who unsuccessfully contested Madrid's previous election two years ago, vowed to bring England's out-going coach Sven-Goran Eriksson as manager. He has also talked about signing Arsenal duo Cesc Fabregas and Jose Antonio Reyes, as well as Real Betis winger Joaquin and Lyon midfielder Mahamadou Diarra. Villar Mir has previously said he had spoken to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger about taking over as Madrid coach. And if he has set about trying to lure Portuguese winger Ronaldo, it mirrors the way Florentino Perez won the club election in 2000, on the promise of signing Luis Figo from bitter rivals Barcelona. Ronaldo claimed he had had contact from other parties other than Villar Mir's. \"Other candidates wanted me to sign a document which is not legal,\" said Ronaldo. \"Villar Mir has promised me he will talk to the club and all we have done is talk through an agent. \"They have explained to me their plans and the next step is they will talk to Manchester United to open negotiations. \"Villar Mir's project is serious and follows correct procedures.\" Ronaldo, who is in a race to be fit for Portugal's World Cup quarter-final against England on Saturday, joined United from Sporting Lisbon for £12m in August 2003.

Real & Bayern eye Van Nistelrooy
Real Madrid may join Bayern Munich in the chase for Manchester United striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy. Real president Ramon Calderon believes new boss Fabio Capello is considering a move for the 30-year-old Dutchman. \"It seems as though Fabio likes Van Nistelrooy,\" Calderon told the club website. \"He could complement Ronaldo.\" Meanwhile, Bayern are ready to speak to United, with club chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge saying: \"The player wants to come to us we know that.\" Van Nistelrooy's future at United has been in question since he drove away from Old Trafford three hours before the final Premiership game of last season. He is thought to have been unhappy at being left out of the side to face Charlton after spending much of the second half of the season on the bench. Despite spending most of the latter part of the Premiership campaign on the bench, Van Nistelrooy still managed to finish the season as United's top scorer, with 21 league goals. \"Now we will approach the thing with all calm,\" Rummenigge said in a newspaper interview carried on Bayern's website. \"We have to speak with the player and naturally with Manchester United but there are no grounds for haste.\" But German outfit Bayern may face competition from Spanish giants Real Madrid. Capello, who ended his two-year reign as Juventus coach last week, is currently evaluating his squad. Club president Calderon added: \"There is enough money for us to make six or seven reinforcements and they will be here before 3 August. \"The signings that Capello has asked for are possible. \"Of course I would like for Cesc Fabregas to be one of our signings. We had an agreement with the player during the presidential elections but we have yet to sit down with Arsenal and negotiate. \"With regards to Kaka, Capello has told me he is an exceptional player. Kaka wanted to come three months ago when I was a club executive but now we must talk to AC Milan.\" Midfielder Fabregas insisted on Sunday that he expects to report back for training with the Gunners on 24 July and was \"not thinking of anything other than playing for Arsenal next season\".

Bayern close in on Van Nistelrooy
Bayern Munich look to be winning the race to sign unsettled Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy. The Dutchman, 30, has been repeatedly linked with Real Madrid, who have had a bid of about £12m turned down. Bayern president Franz Beckenbauer is confident a deal will be struck for Van Nistelrooy, adding that they will offload Roy Makaay or Claudio Pizarro. \"We're still Euros 5m (£3.4m) away from Manchester United's valuation, but the chances are still high,\" he said. \"But if it does work out, I could imagine us giving away Roy Makaay or Claudio Pizarro.\" Bayern have already spent £7.15m on Germany international Lukas Podolski from Cologne. And with Makaay, Pizarro and Paraguay's Roque Santa Cruz already on the club's books, Van Nistelrooy's arrival \"would leave us with too many strikers\", according to Beckenbauer. Paolo Guerrero was sold to Hamburg and Beckenbauer claims further departures to the north may be on the cards as their Bundesliga rivals are in the market for a striker, having failed to land Milan Baros or Patrick Kluivert. \"We could reach another deal with Hamburg,\" he added. Van Nistelrooy reported back to Manchester United for his first day of pre-season training despite speculation he would stay away with his future still unresolved. He was joined by most of the United players who appeared at the World Cup, all of whom had been given extra time to recover from their summer exertions. That meant the England contingent - Wayne Rooney, Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand - as well as Dutchman Edwin van der Sar and South Korea's Park Ji-Sung were there. Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly been given extra time off because Portugal reached the semi-finals in Germany. But manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who had ordered Van Nistelrooy to be at training, was not there himself to meet the Dutchman - the Scot arriving later in the day. There had been reports that Ferguson would fine Van Nistelrooy two weeks' wages if he did not report in. Instead, it seems likely that the striker will play in Wednesday's friendly against Celtic or the game against Preston at the weekend unless a deal is struck in the meantime. Ferguson had earlier revealed that Van Nistelrooy has asked to leave Old Trafford three times since May 2005. \"Ruud asked away before the Arsenal FA Cup final last year, then asked away through his representative, and has now asked away himself in writing,\" he told the News of the World. \"Quite frankly, if he wants to leave, there really is no point trying to persuade him to stay. \"I couldn't tell you why he wants to leave or why his heart isn't in it - all I can tell you is that he has asked away and we have accepted that.\" It is thought Van Nistelrooy would prefer Real Madrid but Ferguson said: \"They have made an offer, we have rejected it. \"If they don't come back in and increase their offer, he won't be going and I would be content with that. It would not bother me one bit.\" United are understood to want somewhere in the region of £15-16m, with Real offering £12m. Bernabeu vice-president Juan Mendoza said last week: \"We are not going to drive ourselves crazy trying to meet valuations that don't bear any relation to the market. \"We're about to reach the point where we break off all negotiations, even though the player clearly wants to play for us. \"It's time to make it clear to Manchester United that Real Madrid are not going to be held to ransom over exorbitant prices.\" New Real boss Fabio Capello has said \"there is no question that I want Van Nistelrooy\" but, with doubts over the fee, Bayern seem to think they are in the driving seat. Certainly the German club are openly admitting they have held talks with the player. \"He wants to come to us. Now the ball's in Manchester United's court,\" Bayern general manager Uli Hoeness told the Bundesliga club's website on Sunday. And Bayern club president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told the Bild newspaper: \"Ruud has told us he would like to play for us next season. We have already spoken about money with him but it would be United who will finally decide.\" United signed Van Nistelrooy for £19m from PSV Eindhoven in 2001.

Valencia reveal Ronaldo interest
Valencia president Juan Soler claims they are trying to sign Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo. Spanish reports quoted Soler as saying: \"I have always said it will be difficult. But nothing is impossible. \"Until they tell us no several times we will not give up. At the moment it's a priority and we have until 31 August.\" The Portugal international, 21, has been linked with a move to Real Madrid, however Manchester United have stressed the player is going nowhere. But Soler, who has already signed Fernando Morientes and Asier Del Horno from the Premiership, added: \"First we will negotiate with the English club and then the player.\" Ronaldo's future has been in doubt this summer after he was quoted as saying he wanted a move to Spain after his World Cup spat with Wayne Rooney. But United boss Sir Alex Ferguson insists the winger is going nowhere. Last week Ferguson said: \"Without any question, Ronaldo will be our player next season and for the rest of his contract. \"I haven't paid much attention to what Cristiano is supposed to have said about his future. \"I haven't spoken to him since the World Cup.\" Ronaldo, who joined Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon for £12.24m in August 2003, is under contract until 2010.

Rooney reveals bust-up with Moyes
Wayne Rooney has revealed he fell out with Everton manager David Moyes before he left the Toffees to join Manchester United in a deal worth £27m in 2004. The 20-year-old England striker said the row meant he considered an offer from Newcastle before moving to United. \"I would have gone almost anywhere just to get away from David Moyes,\" Rooney said in his autobiography, which is being serialised in the Daily Mail. \"To me, he appeared overbearing; just wanting to control people.\" He added: \"I suppose being young and confident and playing for England at 17, I wasn't bothered about upsetting him or answering back.\" Rooney claims he had already decided to leave Goodison Park when he had a training ground confrontation with Moyes and told him: \"I don't want to play for you ever again.\" The striker became the youngest Premiership goalscorer when he scored a blistering last-minute strike to secure a 2-1 win against Arsenal in October 2002, five days before his 17th birthday. He went on to score 17 goals in 77 appearances for the Toffees before securing his move to United in August 2004. Newcastle made the first offer for Rooney but he says he was only interested in a move to Old Trafford once it became apparent United boss Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to sign him. \"If no-one else had come in I would have gone to Newcastle,\" stated Rooney. \"But I knew that United was the club I wanted to join.\"

Celtic 0-3 Manchester United
Paul Scholes scored twice as Manchester United won an entertaining pre-season encounter against Celtic. Defender Jonathan Evans lashed in a volley after Celtic failed to clear at the back post after just eight minutes. And Paul Scholes pounced on some more lacklustre defending to turn in a Kieran Richardson free-kick at the near post before slotting a simple second. The result will cause concern for Bhoys boss Gordon Strachan with the start of the SPL season just three days away. Celtic have played seven friendlies ahead of Saturday's campaign opener against Kilmarnock and have recorded just one win, against Everton. The visitors never looked in danger of letting their early advantage slip and had the edge in all aspects of an end-to-end match. But for Poland international keeper Artur Boruc the score would have been even more telling in United's favour. Boruc made a wonderful one-handed save to parry Paul McShane's powerful header, and then late on produced a double save to deny Guiseppe Rossi and David Jones. And he stood tall to deny Scholes when he beat the offside trap with amazing ease after 84 minutes, but could do nothing as the United skipper stabbed in the rebound. The only thing the home support had to cheer came in the final minute when Scholes played in Liam Miller and the former Celtic player dragged his effort wide with only Boruc to beat.

Ronaldo & Rooney meet at Man Utd
Cristiano Ronaldo returned to training with Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney on Monday for the first time since their World Cup clash. The 21-year-old winger was criticised for his part in England striker Rooney's red card during Portugal's World Cup quarter-final win on 1 July. He appeared to urge referee Horacio Elizondo to take action against Rooney for his challenge on Ricardo Carvalho. Rooney drove in first and they met briefly after Ronaldo's arrival. In the aftermath of their confrontation, Ronaldo insisted he would have to leave Manchester United - and was heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid. However, Ronaldo and Rooney are believed to have made their peace after the incident. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson insisted Ronaldo was not for sale but doubts still persist over his Old Trafford future. Ronaldo was returning to United's Carrington training headquarters after being given an extended break following Portugal's World Cup campaign. Portugal's final game was on 8 July - a defeat in the third-place play-off against hosts Germany. It is understood United have drafted in extra security to cope with any abuse Ronaldo might attract. When Rooney arrived before his colleague at training, he was ironically greeted by an autograph hunter wearing a Portugal shirt bearing Ronaldo's name. United hope a public truce with Rooney will take the sting out of any abuse Ronaldo may receive - and also remove any doubts he has about staying in the Premiership. Rooney is expected to figure at some stage in United's friendly at Macclesfield on Monday night but Ronaldo will not play as he continues his pre-season build-up on the training ground. Meanwhile, referee Elizondo has criticised Rooney's behaviour in Gelsenkirchen, saying: \"Rooney was complaining all the time, always coming close to you and saying 'referee this, referee that'. \"Protests and more protests. He reminded me of my kids.\"

Man Utd agree £18.6m Carrick fee
Tottenham have revealed they will receive a fee of up to £18.6m from Manchester United for Michael Carrick. The 25-year-old England midfielder will have a medical on Monday. And in a statement issued to the Stock Exchange on Monday Spurs confirmed the fee for Carrick was \"for a total consideration of up to £18.6m\". United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: \"Michael will have his medical on Monday and then, hopefully, we will be able to conclude that deal.\" It was revealed last week that Spurs and United had agreed a deal for Carrick - but the fee was not made public and it was then rumoured to be in the region of £15m. Ferguson, who is hopeful of signing more players before the new season, added: \"We have targeted several players but, in my experience, these things take time.\" TOP MAN UTD TRANSFERS £29.1m Rio Ferdinand Leeds - Man Utd £28.1m Juan Sebastian Veron Lazio - Man Utd £27m Wayne Rooney Everton - Man Utd £25m David Beckham Man Utd - Real Madrid £19m Ruud van Nistelrooy PSV - Man Utd £18.6m Michael Carrick Tottenham - Man Utd Carrick has two years left on his deal at White Hart Lane but rejected a new contract offer in the wake of United's persistent interest. \"This is a move that Michael wants to make,\" Spurs boss Martin Jol told the club's official website. \"We have given him every reason to stay but he has asked to be allowed to leave.\" The sale of Carrick represents a massive profit for Spurs, who signed him from West Ham for £2.75m two years ago. West Ham are reported to be in for a windfall when the transfer goes through, with a sell-on clause included as part of the deal that took him to White Hart Lane. Carrick is expected to make his first United appearance in the Amsterdam tournament, probably against Porto on Friday. The midfielder has won seven England caps, making his debut when coming on as a substitute against Mexico in 2001. Carrick was part of England's World Cup squad but he made only one appearance in Germany this summer, in the 1-0 win over Ecuador in the first game of the knockout stages. United manager Ferguson stepped up his pursuit of Carrick once it became clear that the transfer of Red Devils striker Ruud van Nistelrooy to Real Madrid for a reported £10.2m would go through. However, Ferguson denied reports that he is also keen to sign Carrick's Tottenham team-mate Jermain Defoe. \"There has not been any interest from us,\" said Ferguson. \"As far as the Tottenham situation is concerned, we made a move for Michael Carrick - but that is all we did. \"He is the only Tottenham player we are interested in at the moment and I think it will stay that way.\" The transfer fee for Carrick is expected to comprise an initial down payment and a series of add-ons. When Wayne Rooney joined United from Everton in August 2004 the deal's additional payments were dependent on the club's success, the player's international appearances and the number of years he remained at Old Trafford. Bernie Kingsley, of Tottenham fanzine Cock-a-Doodle-Do, has told Sir Stanley: \"The general view among Tottenham fans is that it is a good deal. I don't think fans will be desperately upset. \"You should not let good players go, particularly to clubs you are hoping to be competing against. \"But for that sort of money - and with midfielders Tom Huddlestone and Didier Zokora at the club - it has got to be good business.\" But Mark Longden of the Independent Manchester United Supporters' Association told Sir Stanley: \"I cannot understand what is going on. \"I have not spoken to anybody who, when £18.6m became available, would have spent that on Michael Carrick. \"But people have questioned Sir Alex Ferguson's judgment in the past and finished up with egg on their face and I hope it happens again.\" Jol's determination to hold out for a fee that closely matched their £20m valuation of Carrick has given them more transfer cash to spend. Jol has already signed 22-year-old Benoit Assou-Ekotto from Lens and spent £10.9m on Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov but he missed out on winger Damien Duff, who has joined Newcastle from Chelsea. The summer signing of Ivory Coast international Zokora will make Carrick's departure somewhat less painful for Jol, who can now continue his search for a left-sided midfielder in earnest.

Van Nistelrooy seals Madrid move
Real Madrid have completed the signing of Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy from Manchester United. The 30-year-old passed a medical on Friday and was presented to the press and the fans at the Spanish club's Bernabeu stadium. \"It's a great honour to stand here in the Bernabeu,\" said the Dutchman. \"It's a dream come true.\" Van Nistelrooy has signed a three-year deal with Real, who paid a reported £10.2m for his services. He is Real's third signing under new president Ramon Calderon after Italy's World Cup-winning captain and defender Fabio Cannavaro and Brazil midfielder Emerson. \"We have a perfect striker who combines efficiency and power with great footballing technique,\" said Calderon. Van Nistelrooy scored 150 goals in 218 appearances after joining United from PSV for £19m in 2001. However, he fell out with United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and recently handed in a written transfer request. At the conference in Madrid, Van Nistelrooy said he was hurt by being left out the team for the Carling Cup win over Wigan in February. \"When we played the final, that's when I started to feel unhappy,\" said the 30-year-old. Asked whether he wanted to leave United because he felt Ferguson was supporting other players and not giving him the support he deserved, Van Nistelrooy replied: \"You summed up my feelings quite well.\" United turned down Real's initial bid for Van Nistelrooy, opening the door for Bayern Munich to step up their chase for the Dutchman. Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge claimed the striker wanted to sign for them, but on Friday Van Nistelrooy insisted: \"Madrid is always a first choice, it's just no question.\" A statement on United's official website read: \"Manchester United would like to wish Ruud all the best at his new club and thank him for the great service he provided.\"

Ferguson admits interest in Senna
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted for the first time the club are interested in signing Marcos Senna from Villarreal. Senna, 30, has been linked with a £3.4m move to United and Ferguson seems to be closing in on the Spain international. \"There is interest in Senna but there is interest in other players as well. We are trying to find different combinations in midfield. \"Hopefully, something will happen next week,\" said Ferguson. \"Over the time I have been at the club, we have had to build four or five teams. It's not always easy, but this team we are trying to build will hopefully stay together for a few years.\" The Brazilian-born Senna, who has one year left on his contract with Villarreal, said: \"I know they are negotiating a transfer and I hope they sort things out as soon as possible, so I know what my future will be.\" Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini appears to be resigned to losing Senna to United. \"In the case of Marcos, nothing is 100% finalised,\" explained Pellegrini to Marca, the daily Spanish sports newspaper. \"I understand that this is a great opportunity for him but, for us, it is going to be a great footballing loss if he does end up going. If he leaves, I'll be happy for him but I will be sad for the team. \"I am very happy for him because he deserves it,\" Pelligrini added. \"He is a player who has proved his class and I have always found it very strange that nobody came in for him sooner as he is a great player.\" Senna was a member of the Villarreal team that reached the last four of last season's Champions League - the Spanish club losing to Arsenal at the semi-final stage. Villarreal may be prepared to let Senna leave after they clinched the signing of Leandro Somoza from Club Atletico Velez of Argentina and ex-Arsenal star Robert Pires.

Rooney & Scholes off in friendly
Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes were both sent off during Manchester United's 3-1 friendly win over FC Porto on Friday. The duo had both scored before Rooney was shown a red card in the 42nd minute for allegedly elbowing Pepe. Scholes was dismissed for a second booking on 68 minutes but United added a third through Ole Gunnar Solksjaer before Porto scored a late consolation. United had suffered a blow before the game in Amsterdam when Rio Ferdinand had to pull out with an ankle injury. And United manager Sir Alex Ferguson now faces an anxious wait to see whether Rooney and Scholes will be banned for his side's first Premiership game of the season against Fulham on 20 August. If Dutch referee Ruud Bossen notes the incidents in his report to the Dutch FA, and they pass it on to their English counterparts, the pair will almost certainly be suspended. Rooney was also sent off in his last competitive match, for England in their World Cup quarter-final defeat by Portugal on 1 July. He was being watched against Porto by new England coach Steve McClaren who is preparing to announce his squad for his first game in charge, against Greece on 16 August. Ferdinand was on the United team sheet but landed heavily on his right ankle during the warm-up and was left out by Ferguson. The incidents completely overshadowed new signing Michael Carrick's first game for United but he made an impressive debut. Carrick's corner was rifled home by Scholes on the edge of the area for United's first goal before Rooney's audacious chip made it 2-0. Solskjaer slammed home a third when United were down to nine men before Pepe's late reply for Porto. The game was United's first in a four-team tournament that also features Ajax and Inter Milan.

Rooney wants longer Man Utd deal
Wayne Rooney says he wants to extend his contract with Manchester United, even though he is already tied to the club until June 2010. Rooney signed a six-year deal when he moved from Everton in 2004. The 20-year-old has developed into a key player for United, but said he is keen to add to the Carling Cup winners' medal he collected last year. \"People say I could now have my pick of clubs but this is where I want to be,\" Rooney told the Sunday Mirror. \"I want to extend my contract. I don't want to go anywhere else. \"I look at people like Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs and I want to be here as long as they have. This is a big club and no-one I know ever wants to leave.\" Rooney said his driving ambition was to add to his medal haul, in order to be recognised as one of the sport's all-time great players. \"I want to win everything - the Premiership, the Champions League and, yes also, the World Cup,\" he added. \"It might not happen, but that's what my aim is. That's the reason I'm in football.\" Rooney's move has coincided with Chelsea's rise, but the England star insisted he wanted to help his team-mates restore United to their former glories. \"I don't have any regrets whatsoever about joining United,\" he said. \"I came here because when I was growing up they were the team that won everything and I believe I can achieve what I want to achieve here. \"There is something that is very special about the club and I want to be part of that for as long as I can.\"

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