Manchester Utd

Man Utd hit by Cup final injuries
Manchester United have suffered a double defensive injury blow ahead of Saturday's FA Cup final. Gabriel Heinze is almost certain to miss out after failing to recover from his ankle ligament injury. And Sir Alex Ferguson has also revealed Gary Neville is a major doubt with a groin strain. "Gaby doesn't want to be ruled out at the moment but I do not see him playing. We give Gary every chance but it is not looking good," said Ferguson. Earlier, Arsenal revealed that striker Thierry Henry is out with Achilles tendon injury. Henry returned to action after a groin strain in the 7-0 defeat of Everton and aggravated an old Achilles injury. The 27-year-old missed the Gunners' 2-1 defeat against Birmingham on Sunday but the injury has failed to heal in time for Henry to face Manchester United. However, Arsenal did receive some good news when Freddie Ljungberg declared himself fit for the 21 May game.

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Man Utd let goalkeeper Carroll go
Manchester United have released goalkeeper Roy Carroll. The 27-year-old Northern Ireland international is one of eight players to be let go by United, with keeping colleague Ricardo also on his way out. Carroll had regained his first-team place at United by the end of the season and played in the FA Cup final ahead of American Tim Howard. Ramon Calliste, Ben Collett, Daniel Nardiello, David Poole, Lee Lawrence and Paul Tierney have also been let go. Carroll joined the Red Devils in July 2001 from Wigan for an undisclosed fee, believed to be in the region of £2.5m. He went on to make 70 appearances for Sir Alex Ferguson's side and has 16 caps for Northern Ireland. But he made a number of high-profile errors during the season. They included fumbling a high shot against Spurs, which bounced out of his arms and well over the line only to be ruled out by a linesman after Carroll scrambled it out of the goalmouth.

Sponsor puts pressure on Man Utd
Manchester United have been warned that another season of failure on the pitch may lead to Nike reconsidering their multi-million pound sponsorship deal. The sportswear giant started a 13-year kit deal with United in 2002 - worth up to £303m to the Old Trafford side. But vice-president of sports marketing Ian Todd says that a continued lack of success may not be tolerated. "If they failed to qualify for the Champions League, that might be a problem," he told the Sunday Telegraph. Todd added: "We will look very carefully at this situation, as we do with all our sponsorship agreements. We don't know what is going to happen. All options are open." Nike reportedly has a get-out clause with United that would allow the company to back out of the deal after the 2007-08 season. Sir Alex Ferguson's side failed to win a trophy in the 2004-2005 campaign. And Todd admitted that lack of success on the pitch is a concern. He said: "Chelsea won the league this year, Arsenal won the FA Cup and Liverpool won the Champions League. "So you could argue that Manchester United are only the fourth-best club in England at the moment."

Jewell rules out Carroll return
Wigan boss Paul Jewell insists he will not bring goalkeeper Roy Carroll back to his former club, claiming they would not be able to meet his wage demands. Carroll was released by Manchester United after the FA Cup Final and had been linked with a move back to Wigan. He left for United in a £2.5m deal in July 2001, and Jewell said: "Roy Carroll is a very good goalkeeper." Wigan are searching for cover for John Filan, who was the regular keeper as they won promotion to the Premiership. He said: "I am looking to bring in another keeper. John Filan will be our number one, but we need to strengthen in that area." The 27-year-old Northern Ireland international was signed by Wigan from Hull for £350,000 in April 1997.

Ferdinand upbeat on Man Utd talks
Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand says he is getting "closer and closer" to agreeing a new deal with the club. Ferdinand, 26, who has two seasons left on his contract, says talks are ongoing between United and agent Pini Zahavi. "We are still negotiating and coming closer and closer together," Ferdinand told BBC Radio Five Live. "I mean, it has been about a month now we have been negotiating and obviously things that have happened in recent weeks have slowed it down a bit." Malcolm Glazer's takeover of the the club may have had an impact, but manager Sir Alex Ferguson has voiced his concern about the protracted talks. He cannot afford to let the defender leave the club on a Bosman and is aware that Ferdinand's potential transfer value will fall as the player gets closer to the end of his current deal. "Some people take two years; some people take 18 months; some people take a year," said Ferdinand. "I am not saying it will take two years. "What I am saying is that people take 18 months to sign a contract. I have been given a month and my head is on the chopping board," he added. Ferdinand has had a difficult couple of weeks, landing a driving ban and then allegedly getting into trouble at a Swedish nightclub and a hotel in Hertfordshire.

Van Nistelrooy happy with Man Utd
Ruud van Nistelrooy has underlined his desire to remain at Manchester United. Reports claim the Dutch international striker is disillusioned with life at Old Trafford following a frustrating season riddled by injuries. Barcelona are said to be monitoring the situation but Van Nistelrooy, 28, said: "There is no question I want to stay here, I'm committed to United. "It wasn't my best season - I know that myself, but this is where I want to be, it's the most important thing for me." Van Nistelrooy netted just six Premiership goals and was sidelined for three months with an Achilles injury. He believes he may have been rushed back too soon in order to play in the Champions League tie against AC Milan. Van Nistelrooy said: "I was in the best form of my life but I was rushed back too quickly and now I'm struggling and it's a bit of a disappointment. "But at clubs like Manchester United you are pushed to do an impossible number of games and for a player it's becoming physically impossible without rest. "The injuries spoilt my season because I couldn't give what I usually can," added Van Nistelrooy who will wind down his season in Holland's World Cup qualifying double header against Finland. "After we play Finland on Wednesday I have two weeks off but it's not enough. "The calendar is so full it's getting ridiculous and it's not good for players to keep their quality."

Man Utd sign keeper Van der Sar
Manchester United have signed Dutch international goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar from Fulham for an undisclosed fee. The 34-year-old has agreed a two-year deal and will join the club on 1 July, providing he passes a medical. United have been looking for a new goalkeeper after releasing Roy Carroll at the end of May. Van der Sar, who has 99 international caps, 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 manager Sir Alex 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.

Van der Sar eyes Schmeichel void
Edwin van der Sar is hoping he will be the answer to Manchester United's search for a keeper to fill the void left by Peter Schmeichel. Van der Sar, 34, has signed for the Old Trafford club subject to a medical and becomes the eighth keeper signed by United since Schmeichel left in 1999. "They've tried a lot of keepers and I will perform the best that I can," said the Dutch international. "I'll do my best to get halfway to what Peter achieved at Old Trafford." Van der Sar is set to join United on 1 July and has agreed a two-year-deal. He hopes to have more success than the other keepers - Mark Bosnich, Massimo Taibi, Raimond van der Gouw, Fabien Barthez, Roy Carroll and Tim Howard - who have attempted to replace Schmeichel. He added: "The next few years will be great for me and I hope to bring United back to where they belong. "Maybe, with a couple more adjustments in the team, we will be fully ready for them (Chelsea)."

Fortune case resolved
South Africa and Manchester United midfielder Quinton Fortune's legal battle with his former agent Colin Gie has ended as with an out-of-court settlement. The settlement means that potentially damaging revelations over the long-standing financial and personal relationship between the two parties have also been averted. Lawyers for both parties confirmed that a confidential agreement had been reached. Gie initially took Fortune to court claiming the midfielder had reneged on a 15-year management contract signed when the player was 15 years old entitling him to 20 percent of his earnings. He was also claiming for loss of earnings after Fortune employed Elite Sports Company, which is owned by Jason Ferguson, son of United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, to represent his interests in July 2002. When Fortune joined the English Premiership club in 1999 Gie was his agent. Fortune subsequently issued a counter-claim of around US$300 000. In papers before the court he accused Gie of using his influence over him "in an unscrupulous manner in order to exact payments." Fortune's lawyers also claimed Gie used one of the player's bank accounts "as his own banking facility to make payments to himself and his creditors" rather than for Fortune's benefit. Earlier Fortune's lawyers also argued that in terms of Fifa regulations the maximum contract length for a player's agent is two years and that they should normally expect a 5 percent cut of the player's earnings. Fortune also contested the validity of the contract as he was under the age of 21 when he signed. The case had been specially postponed to early June to enable Fortune to attend the hearing during the annual break in the English football season

Glazer sons join Man Utd's board
Manchester United has announced the appointment of Malcolm Glazer's sons Joel, Avram and Bryan as new non-executive directors of the club. The announcement came as chairman Sir Roy Gardner said that he stood down from his post on 6 June. Non-executive directors Ian Much and Jim O'Neill have also both resigned. Mr Glazer has won almost complete control of the United shares as part of his controversial £790m takeover of the club, much to the anger of supporters. At the end of the May, the board recommended that shareholders accept the £3 a share being offered by Malcolm Glazer for the remaining stakeholding he does not own. Mr Glazer currently owns about 76.2% of Manchester United's shares. Director re-appointed It is thought that next week the Glazers will reveal their exact shareholding when all replies to their offer of £3 per share have been received. On 16 May Mr Glazer said he had raised his stake in Manchester United to over 75%, finally gaining full control of the club. The 76-year-old billionare is expected to delist the club's shares by 30 June, in a move that would end United's 14-year presence on the London Stock Exchange. On Tuesday the club also said that Andy Anson had been re-appointed as club commercial director. He was one of the three directors that Mr Glazer voted off the board last November. The appointment of some of his family representatives had been expected, with Joel expected to take on the most high-profile role. Business backgrounds Joel Glazer has worked as a vice president of First Allied Corporation, a US real estate investment company. In 1995, he was appointed executive vice president of the NFL franchise Tampa Bay Buccaneers, owned by his father, and he still holds this position. "He has extensive sports management experience," says a Manchester United statement to the London stock market. Avram Glazer, aged 44, has also worked as a vice president of First Allied Corporation. In 1995, he became president and chief executive officer of Zapata Corporation, a US public company trading on the New York stock exchange. He is also chairman of the board of directors of Omega Protein Corporation, the Glazer family business which processes fish oils. Bryan Glazer, aged 40, has also worked as a vice president of First Allied Corporation, and also serves on the board of directors of Zapata Corporation. Like brother Joel, in 1995 he was made an executive vice president of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Beasant backing for Van der Sar
Fulham goalkeeper coach Dave Beasant believes Edwin Van der Sar will be a big success at Manchester United. Beasant worked with the Dutch star at Craven Cottage before his move to Old Trafford and told BBC Sport: "I don't see him having any problems there. "He has got all the experience that he needs and he is already proven as an international goalkeeper. "There are some very good Premiership keepers but there are also world class keepers - and Edwin is one of those." The only shock for Beasant is that the transfer did not happen sooner. He added: "I was quite surprised that neither United or Arsenal tried to buy him in the January transfer window. "They were both in the Champions League and Ed was eligible to play whether he was first choice or not. "If something had happened to one of the keepers at either club you might have felt they were lacking someone of Ed's quality to come in. "With him signing a new contract at the start of the year we were hoping he was going to stay, but I do feel he has done tremendously well for Fulham. "This move is a bit like saying to him 'you've done well for us so we're going to let you go and get that chance you wanted back in the Champions League'. Can Edwin end Man Utd's keeper curse? "I think it has worked out well for both parties." The 34-year-old impressed Beasant with his attitude in their time together and he is certain he will not go the same way of several other United keepers of recent years. "He's a top professional," Beasant said. "He works hard at his game and listens to what people say to him and I've enjoyed working with him in the two years I've been here. "I feel that Ed's responded and enjoyed working with me as well. "Consistency is vital at the very top and you don't see Edwin making too many mistakes. "He's a good character in the dressing room and he is a leader on the pitch. "He gets people organised and he makes saves which I don't think other goalkeepers make. "All goalkeepers make a lot of saves but there are ones that go past people and you think they are unstoppable - but then I've seen Ed stop the unstoppable."

Glazer 'plans ticket price rises'
US tycoon Malcolm Glazer's plans for Manchester United reportedly include ticket price rises and a spending limit of £25m a year on player transfers. The Times newspaper said it had seen documents suggesting a boost to the club's revenues - and ticket prices - by about 50% over the next five years. The draft proposals are likely to enrage United fans, many of whom oppose Mr Glazer's takeover. A spokesman for Mr Glazer's business told the BBC nothing was finalised. "Things are still up in the air. Plans have not been finalised," said the spokesman, who represents Mr Glazer's son Joel. Ticket price rises Fans reaction to 'ticket price rises' Earlier this week, Joel Glazer joined Man Utd's board as a non-executive director, along with his brothers Bryan and Avram. The Glazer's investment company, Red Football, has won almost complete control of the club with its £790m takeover, much to the anger of supporters. It currently owns about 76.2% of Man Utd's shares. On Friday afternoon, it emerged that Man Utd chief executive David Gill sold 11,535 shares to Red Football, while group finance director Nick Humby sold 2,546 shares. Among the draft proposals likely to anger fans are plans to increase ticket prices by 54% over five years, the Times reported on Friday. Mr Glazer's ideas for the club's future include increasing the cost of attending Champions League games by as much as 25% from next year. A deal with his bankers could restrict Man Utd's player purchase fund to £25m. Any more than this would have to come from player sales. Mr Glazer reportedly intends to increase Man Utd's revenues by 52% to £245.6m by 2010 from £161.5m this year, the Times reported. The increase will be achieved through a 61% increase in match day sales, a 13% rise in media sales, and 76% increase in sales of merchandise and other commercial activities. Man Utd's players will have to play an annual exhibition match in Florida to increase revenues. 'Nothing settled' He also denied reports that Sir Bobby Charlton, the veteran England player, would be ousted from Man Utd's board. Bobby Charlton "is in for life, and regarded with the utmost respect by the Glazer camp", Joel Glazer's spokesman said. Man Utd is finding life at the top increasingly crowded It is thought that next week the Glazers will reveal their exact shareholding when all replies to their offer of £3 per share have been received. Analysts say that any hike in ticket prices would almost immediately boost profits because clubs like Man Utd have fixed costs on match days regardless of who they are playing. 'Fine line' However, any plans to increase ticket prices will have to be handled carefully, as there is a risk of alienating core supporters who will find it harder to absorb higher prices than top-end users such as corporate clients. The club will also have to become more flexible on how it prices certain matches, offering cheaper seats for the less-popular clashes and increasing prices only for those where demand is expected to be high, they said. One possibility is the pricing structure used by low-cost airlines, where prices are determined by the number of people applying for tickets. Supporters' groups have already voiced their concerns about plans to increase ticket prices and said that it could drive fans away. "People are so disillusioned with the massive increases they are being asked to pay," said Nick Towle, chair of Shareholders United. "The drive for commercialisation is becoming too much for most fans... It's really beginning to create a big problem."

Korean star keen on Man Utd move
PSV Eindhoven's Korean midfielder Ji-Sung Park believes he could make a impact with Manchester United but that his transfer had yet to be finalised. United have approached PSV about buying Park, 24, who has been on World Cup duty with South Korea this week. Park said: "If I play hard, I think I can be an important player for United. "A move to Manchester has yet to be confirmed. Although there is a lot of interest in it, I kindly ask for your patience on this matter." On Wednesday Park helped South Korea book their place in their sixth consecutive World Cup by scoring in their 4-0 thrashing of Kuwait. He was key to PSV's successful Champions League campaign when the Dutch side reached the semi-finals. Park was a goalscorer in the Champions League semi-final second-leg against AC Milan, which PSV narrowly lost. The South Korean moved to PSV in December 2002 from Japanese club Kyoto Purple Sanga and his current contract expires next summer. 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. "Every player wants to play in the Premier League," added Park. "I think I am capable of making the transition."

Man Utd fans upset by price claim
Fans' group Shareholders United have hit out at claims Manchester United fans face huge rises in ticket prices after Malcolm Glazer's takeover. Reports say the average ticket will go from £30 to £46 over five years. "How is he going to fill an expanded stadium when fans are leaving in droves?" SU chair Nick Towle asked BBC Radio Five Live. "They are so disillusioned with the massive increases it will just turn more and more fans off." Andy Mitten, editor of fanzine United We Stand, added on Five Live: "Some of the games have barely sold out in recent years. "Are home games on a Tuesday night against Charlton or Portsmouth going to sell out with the extra ticket price? I'm not convinced." United supporters will also be alarmed at suggestions that manager Sir Alex Ferguson is to be limited to a transfer fund of £25m a season for the next five years. "The transfer budget has been very subtly expressed as a cap. It could be £25m, it could be a pound," added Towle. "The drive for commercialisation is becoming too much for most fans," added Towle. "It's really beginning to create a big problem, and that's just before fans stop buying the products and merchandise, which will also increase in price. "Our campaign to urge fans to exercise their consumer choice and just not buy the products of the club or the products of the company and the products of the sponsors is going to grow and grow." A spokesman for Mr Glazer's business told the BBC nothing was finalised. "Things are still up in the air. Plans have not been finalised," said the spokesman, who represents Mr Glazer's son Joel. The spokesman also dismissed speculation that Sir Bobby Charlton will be axed from the United board.

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