Manchester United fans who pick Sir Alex Ferguson’s programme note for Boxing Day fixture against Wigan Athletic to read will have their hope of any possible transfer in January brought to the low.                                                                                       Fans of the Champions have for long hoped for a world class central midfielder. Their optimism were heightened by Paul Scholes retirement at the end of last season as they thought the void left by the Englishman would be filled in last summer’s transfer market. That was not to be.

Any chance of seeing a new face in January has also been ruled out by Sir Alex Ferguson who is pleased with the strength and depth of his current squad despite injuries to captain Nemanja Vidic, Anderson, Tom Cleverly, Michael Owen and Darren Fletcher’s illness. The Scot wrote in his programme notes

“All things being equal I am perfectly happy with the strength of our squad in terms of depth, quality and age range.

“I will not be swayed by the endless tweets and blogs urging the club to get busy in the transfer market next month.

“As far as I’m concerned I am marching perfectly in step, true to my beliefs and principles. While recruiting some of the world’s leading players can lift you into contention for honours, it doesn’t necessarily take you all the way, as I hope I will be able to demonstrate before the end of the season as other factors come into play.

There was a condition though as United fans should expect the likes of Messi, Xavi or Iniesta at Old Trafford in January only if they become available on the transfer market.

“You can never say never in football, of course, because fortunes can fluctuate widely, that’s the football world. If a really top-class player becomes available, then we would go for him, or if we picked up any serious injuries, it might be important to add to our squad.

Not quit the expected Christmas gift from Sir Alex to Manchester United fans, is it?

Manchester United had stayed invincible in the Premier League until February last season but had a poor run of away games. The Red Devils had taken just 13 points from 27 by this time last season, with seven draws and two wins. The Champions went on to win just seven of their outings in the whole of last season and that landmark has already been reached this season with only nine away games gone.

Having picked 23 points from a possible 27 points –seven wins and two draws – , Wayne Rooney thinks the Sir Alex’s men have had a turnaround in their poor away for last season.

He said “It is an amazing turnaround.

“Last season we only dropped two points at home but struggled away.

“This season we’ve already dropped five at home but we’re making up for that away.”

Manchester City are currently top of the Premier League, two points above Manchester United and Wayne Rooney wants his side to put pressure on the Etihad outfit until they slip up.

“We need to keep going and keep pushing City. If they do slip up, hopefully we will be there to pounce.”

Wayne Rooney and his team mates have also been boosted by Phil Jones’ possible return against Wigan Athletic on Boxing Day at Old Trafford. The versatile defender had an elbow from Clint Dempsey on his face in United’s 5-0 win at the Craven Cottage. It was earlier feared that Jones’, 19, had broken his cheek bone and could be out for four to six weeks but X-ray scans proved otherwise and could be available to face Wigan Athletic. Team mate Asheley Young who also got injured in the same fixture will be out for two to three weeks according to his manager.

Manchester United’s outstanding display against Fulham at the Craven Cottage –a place where they had not won any of their last three fixtures – on Wednesday night saw them maintain their two point gap with league leaders Manchester City with a five goal demolition. Sir Alex Ferguson was pleased with his side’s performance and said after the game:

“I think it was one of our best performances of the season, particularly in the first half when we played some superb football.

“It is not an easy place to come, we have known that for years now but tonight he players were on song and continued on from their good performance on Sunday against QPR.”He told Sky Sports

Sir Alex also emphasized the need for patience as they put pressure on their rivals, Manchester City in the title race.

“Yes they do help. We showed good patience before we got the first goal though.

“We kept the ball, passed it around and got the penetration so it was a good start to the game and we got control and kept it until half time

Although a 5-0 win away win against Fulham could have been all smiles, it wasn’t quite a happy night for the red devils as injuries to Phil Jones and Asheley Young added to their already long injury list.

Ferguson said of Jones’ injury “We’ll send him for an X-ray tomorrow. He had an elbow to his jaw. It was an elbow by Dempsey but I don’t think it was deliberate.”

American owners of Manchester United could be set to list the football club on the Hong Kong stock exchange, which could value the club at around £1.7 billion.

Manchester United is the most valuable sports franchise in the world and has a large following across Asia, meaning that listing in Hong Kong could make a rather large increase in the valuation. The Glazer family paid just £790 million for the club in 2005 and have loaded their own personal debt onto the club ever since.

The English Premier League generates more money in TV revenue and merchandise across the globe than any other top division. TV revenue in the Premier League is much higher than their competitors’ with the 20^th-placed (last place) team earning more money a season through TV rights than third place in Spain’s La Liga.

Manchester United are the highest operating profit makers in the Premier League with 300 million fans worldwide. The club, therefore, makes around £300 million a year in revenue, but due to interest payments taken out by the American owners, they still make a yearly loss. Last season, the club made a ridiculous loss of around £80 million despite incredible success both on and off the field.

Recent Hong Kong stock exchange floats, Samsonite and Prada, have reportedly made the Florida-based owners extremely interested after discussions with investment banks.

An initial public offering for the club is set to be made in Asia, but the owners should be considering listing in London in order to allow fans to share in the ownership of the club, an argument supported by the Manchester United Supporter’s Trust (MUST).

If the Glazers are to list the club on the stock exchange, then it would generate a profit of up to £1 billion for them, which is the only disappointing aspect of the situation. The Glazers have rejected bids in recent times, including a £1 billion offer from the Red Knights. The Red Knights is an organisation set up by wealthy Manchester United supporters attempting to legitimately take control of the club and financially supply it with the resources to compete at the highest level again in the transfer market.

Even though the Glazers will not give an IPO in the London stock exchange, allowing British fans to get shares in the company and the fact the owners will generate great profit from the transaction, it will still be a progressive success in the future of Manchester United.

Fans still need to be cautious in this latest development, but as long as it rids the Glazers’ stronghold on the club, then the future looks bright at Old Trafford.

LUHG

http://twitter.com/#!/AlunLUHG

Manchester United have had a fantastic season, overtaking Liverpool domestically by winning the 19th title, which should not be forgotten. This season has culminated a truly sensational feat by Sir Alex Ferguson but it is not over yet as the next target is Barcelona.

The Champions League Final at Wembley last month illustrated the difference in quality between Manchester United and Barcelona. Many have even gone as far to say that Barcelona are the greatest club side in the history of the game. This is a stretch too far.

They are a fantastic side but as Ferguson has insisted since the defeat, it is questionable whether they will be able to sustain success. Barcelona possesses unmatched quality in world football at the moment with Lionel Messi, Xavi and Iniesta being the pick of the bunch. It is, however, difficult to see this system of football being utilised for a prolonged period of time. Xavi Hernandez is 31 and although he may have a contract extending for a few more years, it is unlikely he will be as effective as age catches up with him.

Of course he may well be able to play at the top level at around 35 but like Ryan Giggs he will not available week in, week out which is a huge problem for Barcelona. He is the rock in the centre of the park that dictates the way the team plays, allowing Messi to make runs into all sorts of positions. Barcelona do not have a squad, they only have a starting 11, a fantastic starting 11 at that but in time the cracks will show and Guardiola’s mismanagement will become apparent.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s team are, whatever the Scotsman might say, a team in a transitional period but at the same time are still achieving great things. Manchester United’s season was down to the depth and quality of the squad with all playing contributing magnificently to the overall outcome of the season. Their starting 11 is of course not to the standard of their Spanish counterparts and needs fixing up.

The attack of Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez is fantastic and will only get better. The defence is also fine and although looked fragile at times in the Champions League Final, it was down to the fact they had so much to do throughout the game. The problem in this match was the midfield.

The central partnership of Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick was out of place when up against Busquests, Xavi and Iniesta. The Spanish midfield controlled all elements of the game, leaving Giggs and Carrick anonymous for large parts of the match.

Giggs was starting to look his age after a difficult season and obviously a difficult time for him personally due to private life issues. Carrick has been crucial in games for United in Europe this season, being used both defensively and creatively throughout the Champions League campaign. In the final, however, he was up against players who quite clearly possess capabilities on another level.

If Fletcher was fit enough then he surely would have been given the role of breaking up the Barca play but at the same time, it is unlikely it would have changed the final outcome of the game. Sir Alex Ferguson has accepted that his team are second best in the world right now but he will not sit back and admire the Catalan team in all their glory. Ferguson knows it is time to mull over changes this summer and come back next season stronger than ever, starting with signing Luka Modric and Wesley Sneijder.

After the dreadful showing in central midfield in the final, it is time now for the Manchester club to step up their pursuit for the pair. Wesley Sneijder took apart the Catalans in the 2009-10 season in a remarkable treble winning campaign with Inter Milan. The Dutchman is very diplomatic in his approach to speculation linking him with Old Trafford and it is evident the midfielder wants to join Manchester United.

Luka Modric is much less speculative on his future and keeps himself to himself. He has been heavily linked with Manchester United throughout the season whilst doubts over Scholes’ future were uncertain. The Tottenham ace has been in superb form all season and seems a natural replacement for the Old Trafford legend, though questions hang over Redknapp’s willingness to let him leave White Hart Lane.

A combination of Sneijder and Modric in midfield would be a dream for the Old Trafford faithful, after losing the great Paul Scholes. Modric would be fantastic as both a ball winning and creative midfielder, contributing to the dogged and stylish approach from Sneijder. It may seem a very attacking approach to bring in both but Manchester United have never utilised a defensive midfielder as they know in the majority of games they will dictate play. These two targets would combine well together and help out in both defensive and attacking aspects of the midfield. This partnership is needed in order to compete with the brilliance of the Barcelona midfield.

Obviously money could be an issue here as well as Ferguson’s desire to buy young players and watch them progress through the club. The problem with that, however, is that the Great Scot will not be around for as long as many would hope and needs to act now if he is to take over once again in Europe.

It is a challenge that Ferguson will relish and will drive him to assemble the greatest team of his Manchester United era.

Rumours of Nani leaving Old Trafford are untrue and he will remain at the club next season, with Ferguson giving more trust to the player. Nani was left out of the Wembley starting line-up but when he came on he proved why his team mates voted him player of the season as he actually got at the opposition unlike most others.

Nani has been possibly United’s most effective player this season despite being dropped for large parts of the latter stages of it but will come back stronger next term, hopefully alongside a midfield consisting of Sneijder and Modric. These three along with either Park or Valencia out on the other flank would provide a midfield ready to match Barcelona’s best.

Manchester United will be back next season and even after all the fantastic things Ferguson has done in his quarter century at the club, the signings of Sneijder and Modric could spark the start of the next great achievement, overhauling the ‘greatest club side ever’.

Manchester United defender Gary Neville has today retired with imminent effect bringing an end to his glorious 19 year career with over 600 appearances for the Reds. Neville, who has turned out for United 602 times, has won 19 honours including 8 Premier League titles.

Long serving Manchester United Manager Sir Alex Ferguson today described Neville as ‘The best English right-back of his generation’. Ferguson then added ‘He is an example to any young professional; hard-working, loyal and intelligent. As a United fan born and bred, his fantastic career at Old Trafford has cemented his place in the affection of the club’s supporters everywhere’.

As well as being Manchester Untied’s most decorated right back, Neville also had an outstanding England career playing for the three lions 85 times. Neville last appeared for United against West Brom on New Years day where he was lucking to stay on the pitch.

Gary Neville is now being touted as Sky Sports next football pundit but it is currently uncertain whether his future will lie in coaching or television. When asked about his future Neville responded by saying ‘I am looking forward to new experiences and the club will always be a part of my life going forward however the most important thing now is for the club to continue with the success that is synonymous with Manchester United and I will be supporting them all the way, as a fan’.

Although, today’s news will come as sad news to the world of football, Gary Neville’s career is one to celebrate with an astonishing record of 602 appearances winning 19 trophies through his long career and being named in not only 5 PFA team of the season but also named in the team of the decade.

Potential Break-though Player

….Tom Cleverley

Manchester United’s England U21 International Tom Cleverley is looking to be a great talent for both United and England in the future and this could be his season. Cleverley has been involved heavily in both of The Reds preseason tours this years America tour and last years Asia tour chipping in with several goals and even more assists. Unlike last season Tom won’t be going out on loan like he did to Watford, as Ferguson has stated that Cleverley is too good to be loaned out and will get a chance.

Although not officially played for United, Cleverly has played and scored against sides of real quality such as Valencia and MLS All Stars in friendlies. The Bradford born midfielder has been capped with England U21s seven times and not yet hit the back of the net but has made multiple assists for the three lions.

Tom has been on the United books since the age of 14 and has helped the clubs reserves and academy to many titles including the MILK Cup and Premier League Reserves title but his biggest achievements so far came when he was 19. After he signed professional contracts with United, Cleverley helped Leicester City win the

League One title with 15 appearances and two goals on a 6 month loan period. Then after a successful preseason, Tom was loaned out again to Watford on a season long loan last season. On his loan at Watford his first contribution was a goal in the dying seconds of his first match against Nottingham Forest which finished as a 4-2 win to the Hornets and he carried on scoring for Watford. In his 33 appearances he scored 11 goals and was named Watford player of the year 2009-10.

Overall Tom Cleverley’s future looks bright and with first team opportunity available for him this term could be a big one for him and with the addition of more England U21 call ups he can only get better. Just remember the name Tom Cleverley: Future England Star, Future United Legend?

(This Article was wrote before Tom was loaned out to Wigan Athletic but I forgot to publish it)

Stadium Journey, publishes reviews of professional and college sports stadiums. They’ve just posted their 250th different venue review, and their first from the Premier League. Only fitting to start with the Theatre of Dreams.

“It was a chilly yet sunny Saturday afternoon in October when I descended the platform of the Old Trafford Metrolink stop via the Altrincham line and headed straight towards Manchester United‘s home ground down Sir Matt Busby Way”

They’d love to get the reaction of Manchester United fans to the review, so take a look and let them know what you think: http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/old-trafford-s499/

If reports in the leading English papers are to be believed, the effect of the rehabilitation in the United States had a miraculous effect on Wayne Rooney. The striker arrived back at United’s training ground last weekend, and it has also been reported on the official website ManUtd.com that Rooney lost almost half a stone in weight and looks to have regained his energy after the ankle injury layoff. Manchester United fans are hoping to see Rooney back in action against Wigan this weekend for the first game played since Rooney agreed to receive a quarter of a million in salary every week for the next 5 years.

While he was training in Oregon at the Nike Headquarters, Rooney was following a special tailor-made training schedule, including a diet plan, to ensure that he returns to full fitness and be ready to go straight into the Manchester United line-up as soon as possible. United would have preferred to work on Rooney’s fitness in the summer, but this had to be postponed until last week due to the World Cup. As a result of this, Rooney has missed 13 of the 20 United games played this season. Rooney missed the England friendly against France in order to continue working on his comeback at the club’s training ground in Carrington. The fruit of this should be seen when United take on Wigan Athletic, with the manager expecting a return from Rooney in the form of goals. A ‘United source’ quoted on the official website was reported by The Sun commenting:

“It’s the talk of the place how hard Wayne was worked out there. He was far from being overweight but he is now nicely tuned up again after the extended lay-off and injury problems. The gaffer and his staff knew exactly what they were doing and now they are expecting it to pay rich rewards.”

A report appearing in the German football website 4-4-2 is linking Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov with the exit door at Old Trafford. The Bulgarian, who joined Manchester United in 2008 from Tottenham for £30.75 million, turns 30 years olf on the 30th January 2011. He wears the Number 9 for United. Until the current season, he failed to live up to the expectations of the fans out of a £30.75 million striker. He scored 14 in 43 appearances in the 2008/09 season and 12 goals in 43 appearances in the 2009/10 season, considering goals and appearances in all competitions. In the 2010/11 season, Berbatov has already netted 7 goals in 15 appearances. His new-found form has led to a large number of supporters showing their support for the Bulgarian, especially during the absence and drop in form of star striker Wayne Rooney.

Hence it is unlikely that United would be willing to depart with Dimitar. However, the report on the German website is linking Berbatov with a move to Turkish club Fenerbahce. They believe that United would be willing to cash in on the ageing player and invest that money in a younger striker. The transfer fee mentioned is around 15 million Euro, and it is reported that Fenerbahce would offer Dimitar 5 million Euro per season as salary. Should his present form continue, and calculating this return proportionately to the amount of games played in the previous two seasons (43 games), assuming he would play 43 games this season as well, Dimitar should score around 20 goals this season, which is a great return. The question remains whether United should hang on to him, or take the money and let him leave to buy a younger striker to partner Rooney.