Manchester Utd

Man Utd seal Van der Sar switch
Dutch international goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has finalised his move from Fulham to Manchester United. The 34-year-old will join the club on 1 July after passing a medical and signing a two-year deal. Van der Sar said: "I am delighted to have signed for Manchester United, one of the most famous clubs in the world. "I'm looking forward to joining my new team-mates to start preparations for the new season, which promises to be one of the most exciting of my career." Manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been looking for a new goalkeeper after releasing Roy Carroll at the end of May. United moved for Van der Sar and agreed an undisclosed fee for the player, who has 99 international caps. He moved to Fulham from Juventus for £5m in August 2001 and went on to make 153 appearances for the Cottagers. He was linked with a move to United in January but agreed a contract extension with Fulham until summer 2006 instead. The Dutchman is United's first signing since the club's takeover by Malcolm Glazer and he is likely to join the squad for July's tour of the Far East. He will become the latest in a long line of keepers to have been tried by Ferguson since the loss of Peter Schmeichel in 1999. Mark Bosnich, Massimo Taibi, Raimond van der Gouw, Fabien Barthez and Carroll have all come and gone while Ricardo's contract expires this summer. United's other keeper, American Tim Howard, agreed a new contract until 2009 in May.

Heinze reveals Glazer uncertainty
Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze has admitted he has been left feeling uncertain by Malcolm Glazer's £790m takeover of the club. "The truth is I still don't know what the new owner's intentions are," Heinze was quoted as telling the Sun. "I need to wait to see and to get an idea about the route the club is going. "The players certainly haven't felt isolated from the demonstrations. They make sense because the fans fell a special affection for United." Many of United fans, including small shareholders, have been vehemently opposed to the takeover on the grounds that the deal is based too heavily on loans and will saddle the club in debt, resulting in higher ticket prices. Heinze added: "I'd like to think that if Glazer's willing to buy United, it's because he has the best intentions and wants the place to grow even bigger than it already is."

Poole hits out at Man Utd policy
New Yeovil signing David Poole has hit out at former club Manchester United for not giving young players a chance. Poole claims that United and other top English clubs prefer to bring in foreign players in preference to home-grown players. Poole told the Western Daily Press: "It's disheartening to see your club bring in foreign players when they've got lads already there. "It's getting harder for young British players at clubs like United."

NFL owners 'eye European clubs'
More NFL owners may follow Malcolm Glazer's lead and look into buying European football clubs. Glazer has completed a £790m takeover of Manchester United and Clark Hunt, whose family own NFL team Kansas City Chiefs, says others could do the same. "We're seeing a globalisation of sport so it will be logical if you see some of our other owners buying in Europe. "As we move forward it's something we will look at. There's definitely a chance," The Hunt family also own three Major League Soccer clubs in the United States and Clark said they would see how the Glazers got on before making a move. "We will follow the story with interest - we follow the sport in Europe - and we will keep our eyes on how things are going over there," the Chiefs chairman explained. Meanwhile, Hunt insists that United fans should give the Glazer family a chance and not be too alarmed about their plans for the club. There has been outrage over reports that the Glazers are planning to increase ticket prices by 54% over the next five years. But Hunt, who knows the family through their NFL connections because the Glazers also own the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, says that the supporters need to be patient. United fans are suspicious about the Glazers' motives "One unfortunate aspect of professional sport is the need to raise ticket prices," he added. "It's not great for fans but it's a reality if you want to keep teams competitive. "I know it must be difficult having one of your national treasures owned by a group of Americans. "But the Glazers are very good business people and will be very focused on continuing to be very successful on the field - much like they have been with the Buccaneers. "They realise that part of being successful from a business standpoint is having a winning team." But Shareholders United spokesman Oliver Houston remains suspicious about the Glazers' motives. "Malcolm Glazer has such huge loans and the interest on those loans needs to be paid back very quickly," he told BBC Radio Five Live. "The only reason ticket prices are being raised is not to invest in the team, not make it a better product but simply to pay off his debt and his loans. "Everyone thinks his business plan will fail."

Agent explains Rio contract delay
Super Agent Pini Zahavi is confident that Rio Ferdinand will soon agree a new deal with Manchester United. Negotations over a new contract for the 26-year-old defender, who has two years left on his current deal, have now been dragging on for over two months. "I'm confident Rio will eventually stay at Old Trafford," Zahavi was quoted as telling the Daily Telegraph. "The Glazer takeover - and the fact I've business matters in Israel and Milan - have slowed things down." United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has already voiced his concern about the protracted contract talks. He cannot afford to let the defender leave the club on a Bosman transfer and is aware that Ferdinand's potential value will fall as the player gets closer to the end of his current deal. Ferdinand has just completed his third season with United since his £29.1m move from Leeds. The England international missed the first two months of the campaign because of an eight-month ban for failing to attend a drugs test.

Chelsea, Man Utd await Obi ruling
Manchester United and Chelsea are waiting for Fifa's decision over the Old Trafford club's complaint regarding Nigerian John Mikel Obi's transfer. United and Norwegian club Lyn Oslo lodged a complaint with Fifa over Chelsea's pursuit of the teenager. Obi, 18, has claimed he was forced to sign a contract with United from Lyn. "We've no comment on how long a ruling will take," a Fifa spokesman told BBC Sport. "Fifa has several hundred transfer dispute cases pending." Obi played for the Nigerian under-20s on Sunday in a 0-0 draw against Brazil in the World Youth Championship. He told BBC Sport that he knows where he wants to play next season but wants to concentrate on helping Nigeria at the tournament. "Deep inside me, I know where I want to play and I know where I want to go to, but I am not telling anyone," he said. "I want to concentrate on this tournament in playing for Nigeria and to help my country win as many games as possible." United announced Obi's £4m transfer on 29 April after he scored twice on his Lyn debut. But Obi then changed his mind and was quoted in Norwegian media as saying he wanted to join Chelsea. According to Lyn lawyer Erik Nadheim, the Norwegian club and United sent a complaint to Fifa on Chelsea and two agents involved in the deal, John Shittu and Rune Hauge. Hauge has said that First Division Lyn do not have the right to sell Obi. Lyn believe they have a valid contract with Obi, which runs until the end of 2006. A decision on the Obi case may take some time. Last week Fifa ruled Roma must pay Auxerre £5.34m regarding Philippe Mexes' transfer to the Italian club, a year after the French international moved to Serie A.

Man Utd set for new ticket record
Manchester United expect to sell a record 42,500 season tickets before the new campaign begins in August. United have put an extra 2,500 season tickets on sale and have already eclipsed last year's mark of 40,072, despite an average price rise of 10%. It had been suggested fans might vote with their feet following Malcolm Glazer's takeover at Old Trafford. But a club spokesman said: "The likelihood is we will sell out before the start of the season." Meanwhile, the Manchester Evening News reports that United have seen a minimal increase in the number of season tickets not being renewed for next season. An average of 200 are not retained each year for a variety of reasons, and the increase this summer is understood to be in the tens, and not hundreds.

Liverpool cash in on European win
Champions League winners Liverpool have earned £20.5m from their European run to top the tournament's earnings table. Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal made up three of the top four Champions League earners, with Manchester United in eighth place. Chelsea secured £18.8m from television money and performance bonuses, Arsenal were fourth with £15.7m, while Manchester United picked up £10.9m. Beaten finalists AC Milan were third with £17.5m and Celtic bagged £7m. The figures do not include gate receipts, another area where English clubs outperform their European rivals. 1: Liverpool £20.5m (winners) 2. Chelsea £18.8m (last four) 3. AC Milan £17.5 (runners-up) 4. Arsenal £15.7m (last 16) 8. Man Utd £10m (last 16) 19. Celtic £7m (group stage) Football consultant Alex Fynn told BBC Sport: "England is the richest TV pool - it has one of the largest markets in terms of population as well as the highest broadcasting fees because it has two broadcasters in Sky and ITV. "Most other countries just have one broadcaster. "That is why Chelsea, as semi-finalists, earned more than the beaten finalists AC Milan. "The Champions League is absolutely vital to the English clubs. "Liverpool would probably have earned as much from their European run as they would have from their Premiership broadcasting rights last season. It's a huge bonus for them." Fynn, who has advised clubs and federations on media and marketing, added that Liverpool would also be able to cash in on their Champions League qualifying games next season. "They should be able to clear in the region of £1.5m for each of their three home games in the qualifying rounds from matchday and broadcast revenue. "The only downside for them is the effort they've spent on ensuring they got into the tournament next season. "That's time they haven't been able to devote to capitalising on their newfound status as European Champions."

Man Utd supporters name new club
The new football club set up by disillusioned Manchester United fans will be known as Football Club United of Manchester. More than 2,600 supporters fighting Malcolm Glazer's takeover at Old Trafford have pledged money and help to the new club, and voted on its name. The steering group behind FC United of Manchester will apply to join the North West Counties League on Wednesday. If successful, the new club will take part in the 2005/06 season. A spokesman for FC United said: "The venture is quickly gathering momentum as will become more and more evident to our supporters. "We will be announcing further developments in the coming days and are optimistic of a successful outcome."

Essien sets sights on Premiership
Michael Essien's agent has admitted that the player is keen on a switch to the Premiership but fears Lyon's asking price could scupper any potential move. The French champions have so far resisted Chelsea's bid to sign the 22-year-old Ghana midfielder. Fabien Piveteau told BBC Sport: "The problem is that Chelsea want him but, for now, the bid is too small for Lyon. "If possible he would prefer to come to England. He speaks English, he likes English football." Essien has so far declined to sign a contract extension but Lyon are determined not to let him go without a fight. "Lyon want big, big money for the player," added Piveteau. "The problem for Chelsea is when they arrive for discussions with another club the price is doubled." Piveteau said Essien would consider a move elsewhere in England but feels the transfer fee is likely to put most clubs off. He added: "Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal would interest him. "I know the Arsenal coach likes him very well but, for now, there have been no discussions. "At Manchester I had discussions with their coach two months ago but after that there has been no news. "For Liverpool there could be a solution because Lyon want Milan Baros and it may be possible to organise for Baros to go to Lyon and Michael to go to Liverpool - and the same for Chelsea with Didier Drogba." Lyon dismissed a proposed swap deal involving Drogba on Monday. Their president Jean-Michel Aulas told sports newspaper l'Equipe: "If chief executive Peter Kenyon proposes a deal because Chelsea have signed Eto'o or Adriano, I would listen. "But I don't believe in Father Christmas." Last season Ghana international Essien was voted Player of the Year by France's National Union of Professional Footballers (UNFP). Meanwhile, Aulas has also confirmed their interested in Bordeaux's Marouane Chamakh and Baros. "We have already made one, big offer for Chamakh. We want him, he's our priority," he said. "We're waiting to hear from Baros and I plan to go to Prague to see him this week with coach Gerard Houllier."

Glazer extends Man Utd deadline
US tycoon Malcolm Glazer has announced that he now owns 97.3% of shares in Manchester United, but is still short of gaining complete control. Mr Glazer has also extended the deadline for shareholders to sell remaining shares to him for £3 each. He had said he would extend his offer if he did not get 97.6% of shares - the point at which he can forcibly buy the remaining stock - by Monday, 13 June. Shareholders now have until 1500 BST on 27 June to decide whether to sell. In London on Tuesday morning Manchester United shares were being traded at 309 pence. They have since fallen to 298 pence, the same price as at Monday's close. Mr Glazer plans to eventually delist the club's shares from the London Stock Market. Fighting on Most of the remaining shares are believed to be in the hands of loyal Manchester United fans who have promised to fight the US tycoon to the end. The Glazers need to get their hands on a total of 258,110,791 shares to force remaining shareholders to sell to them, and are currently short by 204,504 shares. Pressure group Shareholders United (SU) has been threatening to "make life difficult" for the Glazers. "It is a very sad day for Manchester United supporters," SU's Sean Bones "We are going to continue to work as hard as we can to accelerate the return of ownership from the Glazers." Supporters are worried at the amount of borrowing involved in the deal. Malcolm Glazer plans to increase Man United's revenues by lifting ticket prices by more than 50% over four years, fuelling further outrage from fans. He has pledged to generate more cash from sponsorship deals and to cap player transfer spending at £25m a year. Majority shareholder The Glazers' first offer to buy out the remaining minority shareholders closed at 1500 BST on Monday. In a statement to the London Stock Exchange on Tuesday, Mr Glazer said his bid vehicle Red Football now owned 257,906,287 of Man United's shares. Red Football said shareholders who wish to accept the offer should return shares "as soon as possible and, in any event, by no later than 1500 on 27 June". The US billionaire, who owns NFL franchise Tampa Bay Buccaneers, became majority shareholder of the club on 16 May in a £790m takeover. Red Football hopes to take the club off the stock market by 22 June, after 14 years of the club being listed in London.

Carroll completes West Ham move
Newly-promoted West Ham have completed the signing of former Manchester United goalkeeper Roy Carroll. Hammers boss Alan Pardew said he was delighted to sign the Northern Ireland international, 27, ahead of his side's first season back in the Premiership. "I believe Roy's best years are ahead of him," he told West Ham's website. "When a club is re-introduced to the Premier League, as we are, goalkeeper is an essential position. Roy brings all the qualities we need." Pardew also promised there would be more new faces at Upton Park before the start of the season. "This will be the first of what I hope will be three or four more signings to strengthen the team for the challenge ahead." Carroll began his career with Hull in 1995 and was signed by Wigan for £350,000 in 1997. He made 135 league appearances for the Latics before moving to Old Trafford for £2.5m in July 2001. He went on to make more than 70 appearances for United, but endured a difficult final season, making several high-profile blunders. He infamously dropped Pedro Mendes' long-range lob behind the goal line against Spurs on 4 January - getting away with it because of an error by match officials. He then fumbled a shot for Hernan Crespo to grab a crucial winner for AC Milan in the Champions League first leg at Old Trafford.

Ronaldo demands new Man Utd deal
Cristiano Ronaldo will need a better deal before he signs a new contract with Manchester United, says his agent. The 20-year-old is only two years into a five-year contract, but agent Jorge Mendes wants an improved contract. He said: "I think he will stay, but I also have to do what is best for my client. In three years he will be the best player in the world. "He signed the existing contract at 18 after only a handful of games for Sporting Lisbon, but now he is a star." Ronaldo joined Manchester United in a £12.6m deal in 2003 and has proved to be a major success. Mendes added: "Cristiano has huge ambitions. At Sporting there were lots of big clubs after him, all the big names from Italy and Spain. "But when I sat down with Alex Ferguson I knew it was the right choice because he told me that Cristiano would play one week, then have a rest, then play then rest and that he wouldn't be burned out."

Korea star 'keen to join Man Utd'
Ji-Sung Park has told PSV Eindhoven he wants to join Manchester United, claims the South Korea star's representative. The 24-year-old midfielder said earlier this week that he was unsure whether he wanted to leave the Dutch champions. He cited his close relationship with coach Guus Hiddink, who led South Korea to the 2002 World Cup semi-finals. But his representative Kim Jung-Il said: "Park has made up his mind to join Manchester United and the president of our company informed PSV." United will reportedly have to pay around £5m for Park, who still has a year left to run on his contract. PSV confirmed this week that they had received an approach from United for Park but wanted to keep the player. Chairman Rob Westerhof added: "We'll talk soon - Park can still sign a new contract with PSV. "He is one of the players for which our fans come to the stadium and sit on the edge of their seats. Park recently helped the South Koreans book their place in their sixth consecutive World Cup by scoring in the 4-0 thrashing of Kuwait. He moved to PSV in December 2002 from Japanese club Kyoto Purple Sanga, and impressed during PSV's superb run in the Champions League last season, scoring in the second leg of the semi-final against AC Milan. If he does move to Old Trafford he will become United's second signing of the summer after 34-year-old Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar. He would also be the third player in recent years - after Jaap Stam and Ruud van Nistelrooy - to swap PSV for Old Trafford.

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