I have mixed feelings about Owen. I understand he has a proven track record. But he will be 30 this year and his injuries will continue to worsen. He may have great chemistry with Rooney, but I believe he will be used much like Tevez was used last season.

“I had just begun to talk to other clubs when out of the blue Sir Alex phoned me on Wednesday afternoon, invited me to have breakfast with him next morning during which he told me that he wanted to sign me,” Owen said.

“I agreed without a moment’s thought. This is a fantastic opportunity for me and I intend to seize it with both hands.”

“I am now looking forward to being a Manchester United player and I am fortunate that I already know so many of the players here. I missed pre season last year and am pleased that I will be starting at Carrington from day one.”

“I want to thank Sir Alex for the faith he has shown in me and I give him my assurance that I will repay him with my goals and performances.”

Ferguson said: “Michael is a world-class forward with a proven goal scoring record at the highest level and that has never been in question. Coming to Manchester United with the expectations that we have is something that Michael will relish.”

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Sir Alex is understood to have paid £18m for the 23-year-old.

I think Valencia has plenty of potential. He has plenty of pace and makes players around him better. But, he wont score more then 20 goals a season. I think Valencia is a step in the right direction, but we need a goal scorer.

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Manutd.com have unveiled the new kit, but we already had it here.

The players will don the kit for the first time during their pre-season tour of Asia next month. The squad fly out to the Far East on 16 July - the day the kit goes on sale and on which pre-orders will be delivered.

Rio Ferdinand says the players are always excited to see the new kit and insists the historical aspect acts as an inspiration to everyone.

“Maintaining the traditions of the club is very important,” he told ManUtd.com.

“Last season we had the blue kit to remember the European Cup winners of 1968 and this one dates back to the 1900s to celebrate 100 years of Old Trafford.

“This club has always taken pride in its history - it acts as an inspiration to all of us and it’s great to see it represented in the new kit.”

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Saturday 15 August
Man Utd v Birmingham 15:00

Tuesday 18 August
Burnley v Man Utd 19:45

Saturday 22 August
Wigan v Man Utd 15:00

Saturday 29 August
Man Utd v Arsenal 15:00

Saturday 12 September
Tottenham v Man Utd 15:00

Saturday 19 September
Man Utd v Man City 15:00

Saturday 26 September
Stoke v Man Utd 15:00

Saturday 03 October
Man Utd v Sunderland 15:00

Saturday 17 October
Man Utd v Bolton 15:00

Saturday 24 October
Liverpool v Man Utd 15:00

Saturday 31 October
Man Utd v Blackburn 15:00

Saturday 7 November
Chelsea v Man Utd 15:00

Saturday 21 November
Man Utd v Everton 15:00

Saturday 28 November
Portsmouth v Man Utd 15:00

Saturday 05 December
West Ham v Man Utd 15:00

Saturday 12 December
Man Utd v Aston Villa 15:00

Tuesday 15 December
Man Utd v Wolverhampton 19:45

Saturday 19 December
Fulham v Man Utd 15:00

Saturday 26 December
Hull v Man Utd 15:00

Monday 28 December
Man Utd v Wigan 15:00

Saturday 09 January
Birmingham v Man Utd 15:00

Saturday 16 January
Man Utd v Burnley 15:00

Tuesday 26 January
Man Utd v Hull 19:45

Saturday 30 January
Arsenal v Man Utd 15:00

Saturday 6 February
Man Utd v Portsmouth 15:00

Wednesday 10 February
Aston Villa v Man Utd 19:45

Saturday 20 February
Everton v Man Utd 15:00

Saturday 27 February
Man Utd v West Ham 15:00

Saturday 06 March
Wolverhampton v Man Utd 15:00

Saturday 13 March
Man Utd v Fulham 15:00

Saturday 20 March
Man Utd v Liverpool 15:00

Saturday 27 March
Bolton v Man Utd 15:00

Saturday 3 April
Man Utd v Chelsea 15:00

Saturday 10 April
Blackburn v Man Utd 15:00

Saturday 17 April
Man City v Man Utd 15:00

Saturday 24 April
Man Utd v Tottenham 15:00

Saturday 01 May
Sunderland v Man Utd 15:00

Sunday 09 May
Man Utd v Stoke 15:00

Eurosport

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United have made a £16 million bid for Latics star Valencia, while Real are also interested, as are a third, unnamed, club.
Whelan said in the Daily Star: “United have got a meeting with us in the next three or four days, Real Madrid have got a meeting with us in the next three or four days, and the other team have asked for a meeting.
“We can’t tell anybody where they’re going to go and play. If Real offered £2m pounds more than United, or vice-versa, it would depend on where the lad wants to go.”
Whelan also insists that he will not be leaking the name of the third team chasing the 23-year-old, but has said that the club is not from England.
“All season Real have followed him big style, Manchester United followed him big style and there is another club who have just come in from Europe, who we were unaware of,” he added.
“I swore I wouldn’t reveal the identity of the other team because they are frightened of Real or United finding out.”

AFP

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“Manchester United have received a world-record, unconditional offer of 80 million pounds for Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid,” the club said.

“At Cristiano’s request - who has again expressed his desire to leave - and after discussion with the player’s representatives, United have agreed to give Real Madrid permission to talk to the player.
Matters are expected to be concluded by June 30.”

“The club expects to reach an agreement with the player in coming days,” Real said in a statement.

I understand  it was time for him to leave. He won everything he could win in England.

Now its time to look ahead, who will United bring in to cover for Ronaldo, Ribery?
And what will happen with Tevez? Will he move to Man City?

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It looks like AIG will remain the front shirt sponsor until June 2010, when their four-year contract expires.

Although United agreed to a shirt deal with Aon Corp on Wednesday, Aon wont grace the front of the United shirt until the 2010-2011 season. Lets hope they come up with a better looking logo in the mean time.

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Lets start with United’s starting line-up. The back four were fine. My issue was in the midfield, Why was Rooney on the left? And why was Ronaldo playing as a lone striker. It should have been Ronaldo on the right, Giggs on the left, and Rooney up top.  Scholes in the center with Anderson and Carrick as a holding mid.

I think Sir Alex got caught up in the hype surrounding Park becoming the first Korean footballer to contest a Champions League final. Yes Park is in form, but like I’ve said before Park doesn’t have the presence to define a game, there are players that can take charge and change the outcome of a game and Park isn’t that player.

Next are the tactics. Barcelona did exactly what they were supposed to, they put the ball on the ground and kept possession. That way they took away two of United’s strengths, height and power. And United played right into it, they insisted on playing long ball. Making their make shift defensive line-up to look world class.

It will be interesting to see how United deal with the loss. Will Ronaldo and Tevez stay? Who will United sign if they leave? Can they make it to the final again while winning a record 19th premier league title? Make sure to check back all summer for the latest news.

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United could make history by being the first team to successfully defend their Champions League title. On paper, United are clearly favorites. Rio confirmed he will play and it seems Fletcher will be the only player to miss out on the grand finale. While Barca will be missing Abidal, Marquez, Alves, and Milito. While Henry and Iniesta remain doubtful.

United will have to attack and abuse Barca’s weak and vulnerable back four. While being able to contain Messi, Eto’o and Henry. Ferdinand and Vidic will hold Eto’o and Evra can keep up with Messi, but Henry may cause a problem for O’Shea.

While at the opposite end, Ronaldo will do what he wants with Silvinho. Rooney is already in Pique’s head, after the ex-United defender claimed “When he (Rooney) is focused he is simply unstoppable”

United are going into Rome with a “we will win” attitude, while Barca think “we might win” and that will mark the difference.

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With Florentino Perez most likely to win the Madrid presidential election, he has made it clear his number one priority would be to sign the current FIFA World Player of the Year.

But United have made it clear Ronaldo is not for sale, and now Ronaldo has expressed his current thoughts on the matter.

“At the moment I’m only thinking about the (Champions League) final independently of what will happen to me or my team-mates next season,” he told Atena 3.
“I’m sure Perez would create an incredible team at Madrid but at the moment I’m at United and I don’t care about what happens there.”
“I only care about what will happen next season at Manchester United.”

Will Ronaldo leave? I doubt it, if he cares about his football, he would be stupid to leave. He would be leaving what is being considered one of the best teams in the history of football to play for a mediocre Real Madrid, this is certainly not the Madrid of the late 50’s and early 60’s when they won 6 of their 9 European Cup/Champions League finals. They have not won any international silverware since 2002, and will finish almost 10 points behind Barcelona this season. While United have acquired their 3rd consecutive league title, and will likely retain the Champions League title on Wednesday.

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