Fergie - Berbatov on the up

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson admits he did not use Dimitar Berbatov correctly last season, but expects the striker to blossom this season.

The Bulgaria international did not live up to expectations in his debut campaign at Old Trafford following a £30million move from Tottenham last September.

SAF confesses he made a mistake in the way he deployed berbatov who scored only 14 goals in 43 appearances, but the Red Devils chief expects improvements.

The former Bayer Leverkusen star has enjoyed an excellent pre-season, impressing against Hangzhou Greentown, and his boss believes there is more to come.

"I expected the form we've seen from Berbatov in pre-season so far," said Ferguson.

"Last season was a strange one for him and maybe we didn't use him in the right way.

"We know exactly how to use him now - further up the pitch, playing as a centre-forward.

"He will improve and I think he will have a terrific season."

United trial Swedish starlet

Manchester United have handed a trial to Swedish starlet Linus Sjoberg.

The 15-year-old midfielder is currently with Vasteras but he has been spotted by United's Scandinavian scouting network.

The Premier League champions have now made an offer and Sjoberg is expected to link up with United on trial later this summer.

"You have to be cautious dealing with the social and footballing parts as the social environment is important when you are younger," agent Martin Klette told Fotbollskanalen.

"There are both good and bad foreign clubs as there are good and bad Swedish clubs.

"People have a tendency to focus on younger players that have had problems abroad and forget that there are very good clubs to grow in abroad."

Manchester United To Tempt Sergio Aguero From Atletico Madrid - Report

The English side have once more been linked with a move for the dynamic forward...

Premier League champions Manchester United are set to re-ignite their interest in Argentine wonder kid Sergio Aguero, and reports suggest that they will test Atletico Madrid’s resolve with a substantial bid.

The 21-year old had another successful season in La Liga with Los Colchoneros, partnering Diego Forlan in attack for the Champions League qualifiers, and has been previously been linked with a move to Real Madrid

The English side have cash to burn following Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure, and The Sunday Express comments that Sir Alex Ferguson will look to the young striker as he builds his side for defending their league crown.

A bid of around €41m is expected from Old Trafford, despite Atletico frequently insisting that Aguero is not for sale at any price, but Ferguson sees Aguero as a direct replacement to Carlos Tevez and wants to boost his striking options.

The Red Devils are also interested in Valencia winger David Silva, who has also been linked with rivals Liverpool, and it is believed that an offer of around €29m would be sufficient to commence negotiations with Los Che over a possible transfer.

Manchester United To Move For Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery – Report

Reports suggest the Red Devils could be preparing a bid for the French winger...

Our manager Sir Alex Ferguson could be readying a bid for Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery

The United boss has previously revealed that chief executive David Gill enquired into the possibility of signing Ribery in a past meeting with officials at Bayern, but the Red Devils' CEO was told the player was unavailable for transfer.

The German club has communicated to the press through chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and his deputy Uli Hoeness in no uncertain terms that the French winger will not be sold this summer.

Despite the odds being stacked against a move, UK newspaper The Sun is reporting Ferguson to be preparing a possible €41 million (£35m) bid for Ribery.

The tabloid is also suggesting the United boss will wait until August 14 to move for the player, at which time it is understood a loyalty bonus will become active in the France international's contract.

If the Red Devils do in fact move for Ribery, the initial offer is almost certain to be knocked back as Bayern would hold out for a substantially larger amount.

Meanwhile, Bayern legend Franz Beckenbauer recently launched a scathing attack on Ribery, telling German paper Bild that the player "does not give a damn about Bayern Munich".

Valencia President: David Silva Will Not Be Leaving The Club

Los Che president, Manuel Llorente, stands fim and declares that David Silva will remain a Valencia player despite interest from other clubs...

Speaking to the local Valencia Press, Manuel Llorente, club president of Valencia, quashed rumours of his talented winger David Silva leaving the club.

"The club is not interested in selling this player," claimed Llorente

"We have not received any formal offers and it is not in our plans to consider David's exit.

"There is still one month left until the transfer window closes, but our decision on this subject will not change" concluded the president.

David Silva first caught the eye of Europe's elite clubs after a spectacular peformance at last summer's Euro 2008 tournemant.

Since then, Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal have been tipped to make serious moves. Interest from Italy, as well as Realmadrid in Spain, has also appeared.

Regardless of Llorente's declarations, Spanish newspaper Marca believe Silva is widely expected to be in the Premier League by the start of the new season and it is suspected Liverpool lead the hunt for his signature.

Their Spanish manager Rafael Benitez is keen to add a key playmaker to his ranks, and indeed, after his fellow contryman and Kop icon Fernando Torres' recent words to the press, a bid may be taken more seriously.

"We lack players like [Wayne] Rooney and [Carlos] Tevez who can drop back between the lines of attack and midfield and cause havoc for opposing defences and midfields," explained Torres to The Sun.

"Liverpool need a player like David Silva...who can drop deep, find unexpected space, use a bit of quality and open up a game," he declared.

Liverpool are widely expected to offer £25 million to Valencia in the coming days, which will test Manuel Llorente's words.

Manchester United Linked With Bursaspor Striker Sercan Yildirim - Report

Sir Alex Ferguson's spending may not be over just yet...

Manchester United have been linked with a move for Bursaspor striker Sercan Yildirim, despite insisting they are finished in the transfer market for the summer.

Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson had claimed the club would not be bringing any more new players to Old Trafford, before signing another young striker, Mame Biram Diouf.

The Daily Star is now reporting that the spending could well continue, with a bid of €4 million (£3.5m) for the 19-year-old being suggested.

Yildirim has apparently been monitored by the club's European scouts in the past, and reports speculating a transfer could be on the cards had emerged as far back as October of last year.

After the introductions of Antonio Valencia, Michael Owen and Gabriel Obertan, Ferguson revealed he didn't intend to make further purchases to replace the departing Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo.

United went on to sign Senegalese forward Diouf, with Ferguson forced to act as other clubs had begun making bids.

A similar scenario regarding Yildirim could be in the offing, as United could move for the player if they start to face competition for his signature.

Manchester United's Michael Owen Out To Embarrass Critics

The Red Devil thinks Sam Allardyce and Dave Whelan were wrong about him...

Michael Owen is hoping to answer those who doubted his ability in the upcoming campaign. But the former Newcastle United striker isn't too worried about their criticisms.

“If that was how they were perceiving me, fine, because the greatest accolade I could have is that Sir Alex Ferguson didn't think about that," he told FourFourTwo magazine. “I can quietly sit here and and look around where I am now - and if anyone else wants to look at what they've said, then they might feel embarrassed.

“I don't feel I have to impress these people.”

“I only need to prove things to people who believe in me,” he continued. “I want to show Sir Alex was right to believe in me.”

Owen is hoping he can go someway to plugging the goal scoring gap left by departing Red Devils.

"The team has lost two players - Tevez, who scored a few, and Ronaldo who got lots over the last two seasons," he said. “There's a big hole to fill, and I hope I can help plug it in terms of goals. I can't do it on my own - but I will help out.”

“When you sign for United you get excited about a lot of things. One of them, I hope, is scoring a lot of goals - because I am going to get a lot more chances here than at other teams.”

Report: Manchester United To Probe Valencia Over David Silva

The Red Devils are apparently plotting one lust hurrah in the summer market...

According to the News of the World, Manchester United have set their sights on Valencia's sought-after playmaker, David Silva.

The Spanish international's future has been a source of great speculation all summer long, with clubs all over Europe thought to have inquired after the player.

Given Los Che's well-documented financial troubles, it is widely believed that they will have to sell either David Villa or Silva to balance the books - and with the former now certain to stay, the odds have shortened on the latter leaving.

Nevertheless, Valencia recently declared that the 23-year-old midfielder will not be sold, and although Sir Alex Ferguson has hinted that his transfer business is done, sections of the British press would have it that Silva could move to Old Trafford by the end of August.

United will host the Mestalla club in a pre-season glamour friendly this coming Wednesday, and it is claimed that the Premier League champions will use the opportunity to register an interest in Silva.

NOTW reports that the Red Devils will have to stump up at least €29 million to have any hope of signing the player, who is also coveted by Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez.

Jamie Carragher Hails Manchester United’s Signing Of Michael Owen

Carra has surprisingly admitted he is pleased to see one of his old pals sign for Liverpool's bitter rivals...

Liverpool defender jamie Carragher has revealed that he thinks bitter rivals Manchester United signing of Micheal Owen was a great bit of business.

The striker swapped relegated Newcastle United for the English champions in one of the shock moves of the summer, but Carragher believes it is a shrewd move by the Red Devils.

“Signing Michael Owen was a clever piece of business by United and he has started really well for them in pre-season,” he told the Sunday Mirror.

“In a way, I am pleased he's got a move to a big club, because he came in for a lot of criticism at Newcastle.

“Why? What did the lad do wrong up there? For me, Michael Owen is still a great player and a great role model and I have this feeling he'll be good for United.”

Carragher also revelaed that he was still good friends with Owen and hoped he would do well at his new club.

“Michael is a good friend of mine, but he plays for our biggest rivals now so he'll know I won't want him to carry on scoring once the season starts,” he admitted.

“He's scored a lot of goals in the first few games for United and I hope he scores a few more pre-season, because I want him to do well."

The 31-year-old also insisted that, despite the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo, United would still prove to be tough opposition next season.

“I don't expect United to be weaker, just because they've lost Ronaldo,” he explained.

“They still have Wayne Rooney, who is one of the best players in the world, and a very solid midfield with players like Michael Carrick.

“Only a fool would say it's going to be a weaker United.”

Manchester United Boss Sir Alex Ferguson Praises Luis Antonio Valencia’s Debut

The Red Devils' boss has showered praise on the performance displayed by Valencia on his debut...

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was jubilant about the performance of Luis Antonio Valencia, who scored on his debut against South American stalwarts Boca Juniors.

The 23-year-old found the back of the net a little before half-time to propel the Red Devils into the final of the Audi Cup.

"We're very satisfied with him," Ferguson has been quoted in The Mirror as saying.

"He's a good athlete who has great power and running ability."

However, the manager insisted that the Ecuador international will have to improve his strike rate, since his goal scoring record with Wigan Athletic reads as seven goal in 89 appearances.

"His record at Wigan was not good in terms of goals, so we have to think why he's not scored more," he said.

"Maybe the way we play will give him more opportunities and he will get more goals.

"He did well to open up the space up for himself for his goal and I'm sure he will play a lot of games this season."

The Old Trafford club continued their impressive 100 per cent winning record in pre-season games by beating Boca Juniors 2-1 to reach the final of the Audi Cup in Germany. They will now play Bayern Munich in the final.

Bayern Munich 0-0 Manchester United (7-6 pens): Hosts Squeeze Past Red Devils To Win AUDI Cup

A penalty shoot-out was required to separate the Bundesliga giants and the Premier League heavyweights.

Bayern Munich (0) - Manchester United (0) (7-6 after pens)
Manchester United and Bayern Munich's participation in the Audi Cup was concluded earlier this evening, but the winner did not emerge until the game's death as no difference-maker could break the stalemate that dogged the initial 90 minutes. The German powerhouse required nerves of steel to fend off the United threat and eventually triumphed after a protracted penalty shoot-out saga.

A bout of surprising swordmanship ensued from the off where each team not only eyed the other up but began striking in fierce play that belied the friendly status of the tie. Perhaps the manner in which Manchester United fought back in an epic Champions League final in 1999 was still fresh in Die Bayern's minds, and the Red Devils too wanted to repeat their psychological advantage.

Bayern managed to begin to exert their footballing game onto the Premier League title-winners, though, yet had it not been for some woeful play in the final third, Bayern could have been a goal to good inside ten minutes.

Netherlands international Mark van Bommel attempted to thread Mario Gomez through, but his pass had too much weight on and Gomez failed to get the connection. Just nine minutes later and Gomez again was in on the action, this time with a shot that struck the frame of Edwin van der Sar's goal. Van Bommel again acting as the playmaker, who managed to split Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans with his pass.

Bayern were on top of United for much of the opening stages of the first-half, and also indeed the greater of chances. Muller, half-way through the opening 45 minutes, could only tamely shoot at United's veteran glovesman, after tearing away from the opposition's midfield and defence.

Just before the break and there was one strong chance per team as creative Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov ensured Bayern were not the only team lamenting the position of the goal-posts as the former Tottenham Hotshot took advantage of some confused box-play that followed a corner-kick, only to be denied an opener by Michael Rensing's stick.

Just moments later Gomez could have ensured that FC Hollywood went into the break the happier of the sides but again his woeful productivity in front of goal let him down.

Sir Alex Ferguson's half-time team talk must have proved inspirational as his side came out the blocks with far more effectiveness in the concluding half.

On the hour-mark, free acquisition Michael Owen forced a strong save from Rensing after a good passage of play from ageing midfielder Paul Scholes.

Each manager tried to change the game with a flurry of substitutions, and it was England's golden boy Wayne Rooney - earmarked this season to occupy more of a central role as he has done in superb fashion under the national tutelage of Fabio Capello - who could have stolen the win, and the Audi Cup on the 86th minute prior to an epic penalty showdown.

Penalties

Ryan Giggs 1-1 Alexander Baumjohann
Anderson 2-2 Edson Braafheid
Nani 3-3 Hamit Altintop
Patrice Evra 3-3 Danijel Pranjic
Wayne Rooney 4-4 Jose Ernesto Sosa
Darren Fletcher 5-5 Andreas Ottl
Paul Scholes 6-6 Holger Badstuber
Jonathan Evans 6-7 Daniel Van Buyten

Line Ups

Bayern Munich - Rensing; Lahm, Demichelis, Breno, Braafheid; Tymoschuk; Mark van Bommel, Schweinsteger; Baumjohann; Muller, Gomez.

Manchester United - Van der Sar; Fletcher, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra; Nani, Scholes, Gibson, Giggs; Berbatov; Owen.

Manchester City Boss Mark Hughes Refuses To Be Baited By Alex Ferguson

The Citizen's boss claims that he will not fall into the same trap as Rafa Benitez has in the past...

After some scathing remarks were made by Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson regarding his crosstown rivals, City manager Mark Hughes has stated that he will not become a victim of Fergie's baiting in the same way Rafa Benitez did.

The United gaffer had accused his cash-rich foes of spending over the odds for players and being a small time club without a winning mentality. The Scot also added that the Citizens were "arrogant and stupid".

However, Hughes has put on his best bold face and insists that he will not publicly lock horns with Ferguson - but will only protect his club when the need arises.

"That's how we conduct ourselves at this club," The Times quotes the Welshman as saying.

"Sometimes we have to respond because people make comments but we don't try to cultivate these situations.

"I've seen those comments but I've said before that our valuation could well be different to other clubs'. It's obviously different to Sir Alex's valuation of the players we have signed but, to us, these players are invaluable. We feel we have done good deals on every player we have bought."

Meanwhile, the latest development in the Joleon Lescott saga seems to have left City dejected and considering pulling their latest offer of £19 million for the defender. It is understood that Newcastle's Sebastien Bassong and Chelsea's Alex are being lined up as alternative targets.

Sir Alex Ferguson Hints At Manchester United Tactical Change

Manchester United look set for an alternative approach this season...

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has indicated that the Premier League champions will adjust their tactics to fill the void left by the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portuguese winger fulfilled a lifelong dream by joining Real Madrid earlier in the summer for a record breaking fee in the region of €94 million.

Ronaldo had proved to be the focal point of the United attack for the last few years, notching up an incredible tally of 66 Premier League goals over the past three seasons.

While Ferguson accepts the loss of the 24-year-old World Player of the Year is undoubtedly a severe blow, the 67-year-old Scot is confident that his United team can adapt to a new system and style of football.

"Obviously Cristiano is a big loss in terms of the goals he gave us," the former Aberdeen boss told Inside United.

"But we'll just have to find the goals from somewhere else, and our tactics will adjust accordingly. Fans will see us playing a slightly different style of football this season.

"The team has adapted well to whatever system we've played, whether it's 4-4-2 or three in midfield.

"We've got that flexibility in the squad. With Antonio Valencia coming in, it might be a bit more of a rigid 4-4-2 system, but we'll have to see."

Ferguson went on to claim that he expects the Red Devils to cope without Ronaldo's goals, adding that he is confident that his whole squad is capable of stepping up to the plate.

"Usually you look to score about 100 goals in all competitions, so we're aiming for that again," he said.

"If we're going to win the league again, or do well in Europe, we certainly need players to step up and help fill [the gap left by Ronaldo].

"Wayne [Rooney] is capable of scoring 18 or more, and if Michael [Owen] plays 25 games for me next season, I think he'll get 15 goals.

"I'll be looking to Park [Ji-Sung], Nani, Valencia - even [Danny] Welbeck and [Federico] Macheda - to contribute 40 goals between them. The defenders will contribute a few from set-pieces too."

United lost the Audi Cup final last night, beaten 7-6 on penalties by German giants Bayern Munich.

Liverpool Are Tougher Opponents Than Manchester United – Andrey Arshavin

The Russian star has been speaking about life in the Premier League...

After signing for Arsenal from Zenit St. Petersburg in the January transfer window, Andrey Arshavin took the Premier League by storm.

Despite this, he rates the quality of the opposition he has faced very highly.

“None of the teams have been easy,” he told FourFourTwo magazine.

“A lot depends on the course of the game. Fulham were a particularly difficult opponent, not fun to play against. They were very organised, very disciplined, constantly closing you down.”

The Russian then went on to compare Arsenal's title rivals and stated that he thought Liverpool were the most difficult opponents he had played against.

“But if you're talking about Manchester United and Liverpool, Liverpool were the much harder to play against,” said the Russian.

Arshavin also weighed up the impact of Ronaldo's move to Real Madrid, saying, “It's impossible to replace Cristiano Ronaldo and I hope they'll be weaker as a result."

“If there were many others like him, Real Madrid wouldn't have paid £80m.”

“On the other hand, Alex Ferguson has won a lot of titles over the years, a lot of them without Cristiano Ronaldo, so he knows how to win trophies with other players,” he continued.

“But it will take time for them to compensate for his absence and I hope that we can make use of this and overtake United.”

Commenting on Wenger's footballing philosophy the Russian said, “I don't want us to be playing for the result alone, I want us to carry on playing the way we do, the way I love.”

“I love attacking football. My own view would always be: let's score more than we concede; rather than hang back by our own goal and wait for a single chance to score,” he continued.

“Anyway, if you look at Arsenal, the squad we have isn't designed to win 1-0.

“That's why you have 60,000 coming to the Emirates, they come to see something beautiful, something memorable.”

Le Havre Slam Manchester United For Their 'Pillage Of The Best Young Player In France'

The Red Devils are taking a lot of flak for their signing of hot prospect Pogba...

French club Le Havre are furious over the way Manchester United sniped 16-year-old Paul Pogba, who is the skipper of the France national Under-16 team.

In an official statement released by HAC, a spokesman has said, "Manchester United offered huge sums of money to the player's parents to obtain the transfer of their son.

"At the moment, the EC, FIFA and UEFA object to the 'trade' of minors and yet Manchester United have done this with a boy of 16.

"They have pillaged our club for the best young player in France."

A report in The Mirror claims that Arsenal were initially after the services of Pogba, but the player chose to join the Red Devils over the north London club.

Man Utd, along with a number of other Premier League clubs, have been hugely criticised on the continent in the recent past for the so-called 'poaching' of youth players from abroad, in which they have only had to pay a nominal compensation fee in return.

Over the last few years, United have snapped up wonderkids Giuseppe Rossi, Federico Macheda and Davide Petrucci while they were all still young teenagers, and the signing of Pogba is now also causing a furore.

Report: Manchester United To Probe Valencia Over David Silva

The Red Devils are apparently plotting one lust hurrah in the summer market...

According to the News of the World, Manchester United have set their sights on Valencia's sought-after playmaker, David Silva.

The Spanish international's future has been a source of great speculation all summer long, with clubs all over Europe thought to have inquired after the player.

Given Los Che's well-documented financial troubles, it is widely believed that they will have to sell either David villa or Silva to balance the books - and with the former now certain to stay, the odds have shortened on the latter leaving.

Nevertheless, Valencia recently declared that the 23-year-old midfielder will not be sold, and although Sir Alex Ferguson has hinted that his transfer business is done, sections of the British press would have it that Silva could move to Old Trafford by the end of August.

United will host the Mestalla club in a pre-season glamour friendly this coming Wednesday, and it is claimed that the Premier League champions will use the opportunity to register an interest in Silva.

NOTW reports that the Red Devils will have to stump up at least €29 million to have any hope of signing the player, who is also coveted by Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez.

Manchester United To End Interest In Gremio's Douglas Costa - Report

Concerns over the Brazilian's private life could lead to the collapse of a possible move to Old Trafford...

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson could be ready to end his interest in Gremio sensation Douglas Costa because of fears surrounding his private life.

United have been monitoring the progress of the 18-year-old for some time, and were thought to be readying an offer for the player earlier in the summer.

Ferguson declared that the spending at Old Trafford to have come to a close, however, after the signings of Antonio Valencia, Michael Owen, Gabriel Obertan and Mame Biram Diouf.

The News Of The World is now reporting that Costa was arrested by Brazilian police earlier this week for driving without a valid license.

The UK tabloid also states the midfielder has been criticised by coaches at Gremio in the past for turning up late for training and leading a party lifestyle, despite the fact he does not drink.

Such revelations, coupled with the Red Devils' unwillingness to activate a buy-out clause in Costa's contract, thought to be set at £18 million, could bring and end to any possible move in the near future, according to the Sunday newspaper.