Manchester United produced a much improved performance to defeat FC Seoul 4-0 in South Korea. The Premier League champions controlled the match from the start and coasted to a convincing victory thanks to goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Chris Eagles, Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra.
Nani and Owen Hargreaves both spent the game on the sidelines and were soon made to realise that it will be far from easy to break into Sir Alex Ferguson's first-choice side, as United raced into a 3-0 half-time lead with some scintillating football.
More on the game here
MANCHESTER UNITED'S Far East tour opened with a disappointing 2-2 draw against J-League champions Urawa Red Diamonds. Second-half strikes from Darren Fletcher and Cristiano Ronaldo appeared to have saved Edwin van der Sar's blushes after the keeper gifted Hideki Uchidate a 25th-minute opener.
But ex-Feyenoord midfielder Shinji Ono finished off a superb solo effort to secure a share of the spoils.
More review here
Check out this cool Nike video feat. Rooney. He sure knows how to hit his target.
MANCHESTER UNITED are closing in on West Ham star Carlos Tevez. The £20million-rated Argentina striker is understood to be on the verge of joining the Premier League champions.
Tevez, 23, spent last season at Upton Park and became a cult hero to Hammers fans.
West Ham are embroiled in a legal dispute with his agent Kia Joorabchian, who runs the company MSI, after the club terminated an agreement giving the rights to any transfer fee for the player during transfer windows.
Tevez is currently on international duty in the Copa America in Venezuela.
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So apparently Liverpool has joined the race to sign Gabby. If your're gonne leave Gabby please don't go to Merseyside....what a disaster that would be.The uncompromising full-back is currently representing Argentina in Venezuela but on his return to Manchester, it does look likely that he could be set for a move away from Old Trafford.
Heinze has cultivated a cult status amongst the United faithful since arriving at the club from Paris Saint Germain, but last season, was more of a peripheral figure due to Patrice Evra's emergence as first choice left-back.
Juventus and Real Madrid are known to be keen on recruiting him for next season, but it has now emerged that United's Premier League rivals Liverpool are also suitors.
Sir Alex Ferguson would likely be loath to sanction Heinze's departure to Merseyside, but should Rafa Benitez outbid foreign interest then a deal could yet be concluded.
Heinze, though, is concentrating his thoughts on matters on-the-field, rather than off it.
"I know some clubs are interested in me," he told the Sun. "My head is with the Argentina team to play the Copa America.
"After that and a holiday, I will know better where I will play next season."
So here we go again....once again the prolific icelandic has been linked, according to media, with a move to Manchester United. Surely he is a good player, but nonetheless he is just not the kind of player United need. What we need is a real old school striker....someone with 20+ goals. No matter how you look at it, Eidur is not that player. He will never be more than a fringe player in the squad.
Silvio Pagliari maintains Sir Alex Ferguson made a £10million bid for his client recently and, if the offer still stands, then the Italian international could be on his way to Old Trafford. Quagliarella has become one of the most in-demand strikers in Serie A since his move to Samp last summer, and the 23-year-old announced his potential to a wider audience with two stunning goals in Italy's recent Euro 2008 qualifier against Lithuania.
After scoring 13 goals in 35 league appearances for Samp last season, his agent has now opened the door to a possible move to England.
"One month ago, Manchester United made a £10million offer," said Pagliari
"We believe Fabio is worth between €15 to €20million (£10 to £13million), hence if the English club's offer still stands, he could probably go abroad."
United chief executive David Gill has previously hinted that the English champions are seeking to purchase a new striker after already reinforcing their squad with the additions of Owen Hargreaves, Nani and Anderson.
For most 20-year-olds, an important goal in a UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifier would be memorable enough for one week. Or if you need more excitement, how about playing at the UEFA European Under-21 Championship? But Portugal winger Nani is not only doing all that, he has also agreed a dream move to Manchester United FC.'Very fast'
"It all happened very fast," the former Sporting Clube de Portugal starlet told uefa.com. "It seems the clubs reached an agreement quite rapidly and from then on I knew my career would continue at Manchester United. They are one of the major clubs in Europe. Any player would like to play in Manchester United."
Hear what else Nani has to say about United here
CRISTIANO Ronaldo has revealed how the death of his father has made him fearless on the pitch.
Sir Alex Ferguson was considering a bid for the French striker to boost his squad ahead of United's defence of the Premiership title.
But Bolton chairman Phil Gartside has received reassurance from Red Devils chief executive David Gill that they are not chasing Anelka.
He said: "David Gill has confirmed to me that Manchester United have no interest in Nicolas.
"Sammy Lee is looking to build a squad for next season and we absolutely have no interest in selling any of our better players. Nicolas, of course, is one such player."
Anelka admitted at the weekend that he would jump at the chance to join United.
He said: "There has been no contact with any other club for my signature, none at all.
"But if there was, I couldn't say no to a club like United.
"I have to find out what Bolton want to do first. I don't want to leave and it's their decision."
United have already spent £50million this summer on Owen Hargreaves, Nani and Anderson.
The 22-year-old has endured a frustrating season at Old Trafford after turning down a permanent deal with West Brom last summer to try and become a regular in Sir Alex Ferguson's plans.
Richardson dazzled in a loan spell with the Baggies during the 2005-06 campaign and even forced his way into the England squad.
But his decision to stay at United backfired badly last season, as he fell behind Gabriel Heinze and Patrice Evra in the left-back slot - and failed to dislodge Ryan Giggs from his left-wing berth.
Richardson shone in a central midfield role at The Hawthorns, and the Sun reports that it is his versatility that appeals to Hammers boss Alan Curbishley as well as a number of other top-flight managers.
His first-team chances suffered a further setback this week when Ferguson all-but wrapped deals for midfield trio Nani, Anderson and Owen Hargreaves.
And the United boss may be happy to cash in on him as he bids to generate transfer funds for a new striker.
Former Red Devils defender Steve Bruce is believed to be keen on luring Richardson to Birmingham, and Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has money to burn and feels the United star could form a lethal left-sided partnership with Matt Taylor at Fratton Park.
Manchester United are reportedly on the trail of Barcelona striker Javier Saviola. Saviola, 25, has already confirmed he will leave the Spanish champions when his contract expires this summer, meaning he can move for no transfer fee.
According to The Sun, the Argentine has made it clear Old Trafford is his preferred destination after three years at Barca, despite interest from Arsenal, Liverpool, Bolton, Valencia and Real Madrid.
He said: "I consider my career at Barcelona is finished. There are several offers on the table."
Saviola moved to Spain from River Plate in 2001 but despite an impressive goalscoring ratio, he never really established himself in the first-team.
He was shipped out on loan to Monaco for the 2004-05 season and then to Sevilla last year where he helped the club win the UEFA Cup.
Earlier this season he scored 8 goals in 6 matches in the absence of star striker Samuel Eto'o, but again found himself benched when the Cameroonian returned.
United have been linked with a host of strikers since the end of the season including Eto'o, Fernando Torres and Nicolas Anelka.
Sunderland boss Keano is out to make an impact on the Black Cats’ return to the Premiership.
And with midfielders Anderson, Nani and Owen Hargreaves on their way to Manchester United, Scholes faces being squeezed out.
Keane will try to tempt his former team-mate into a final challenge before he retires.
Scholes, 32, has just enjoyed a stunning season and finished third in the voting for the PFA Player of the Year awards but that has not stopped Keane from testing the resolve of boss Alex Ferguson.
Keane may also move for another old team-mate with Newcastle midfielder Nicky Butt, 32, on his wish-list.
Manchester United have agreed to pay a massive £17million for Anderson, 19, while Nani, 20, is a £14m capture.
And Ronaldo, 22, is convinced the young guns will justify their price tags by taking the champions up another level.
He said: “I can only say that United will be stronger because they have signed two great players.
“Anderson and Nani are phenomenons and the side will be improved a lot by their participation.”
Nani and Anderson have both agreed five-year United deals, which will earn each player £26,000 a week as they bid to follow Ronaldo to stardom.
United boss Alex Ferguson will look to Portuguese wing king Ronaldo to be a mentor for the new boys, who, like Ron, are without their fathers.
Ronaldo was devastated when his dad passed away in 2005, while Anderson’s father died five years ago and Nani has not seen his for years.
Nani’s mother Maria do Ceu was left alone to raise him and his EIGHT brothers after her husband went home to the Cape Verde Islands on holiday 15 years ago and never returned.
And Ronaldo has already vowed to make sure Anderson and Nani feel right at home alongside him with their new United family.
The midfield duo are regarded as two of the best young talents in Europe and they have been chased by several of Europe's top clubs.
However, United have stolen a march on their rivals by luring the pair to Old Trafford.
United chief executive David Gill and assistant manager Carlos Queiroz flew to Lisbon on Wednesday to hold talks with Sporting regarding Portuguese international Nani and they have quickly agreed a move for the exciting winger.
Nani is highly-rated in Portugal and has been likened to current United star Cristiano Ronaldo.
This match-up is seen as the dream final by many as the top two from the Premiership lock horns again for the most famous trophy in world football. Manchester United are aiming to claim a fourth domestic Double having won the Premiership title ahead of Chelsea.
Chelsea were the last club to win the FA Cup final at the old Wembley in 2000 and they are determined to end United's double dreams.
The FA Cup is the only domestic trophy Jose Mourinho has failed to win so far during his time at Chelsea and he will be hoping to add it to their Carling Cup success from earlier this season.
This season's two meetings between the giants ended in draws, but Mourinho boasts a good record against Sir Alex Ferguson having lost just one of eight clashes against the Scot.
Chelsea go into the game with a crippling injury list with Mourinho claiming he only had 15 players available to pick from.
Ricardo Carvalho, Michael Ballack and Andrei Shevchenko have all been ruled out through injury.
In the absence of Carvalho, Michael Essien is set to start in central defence alongside Blues skipper John Terry.
Arjen Robben is expected to be on the bench after recovering from a knee injury.
Ashley Cole will be given until the last minute to prove his fitness as he struggles with an ankle injury with Wayne Bridge standing by to replace him.
John Obi Mikel is set to undergo a late fitness test as he looks to shake off a thigh problem.
Manchester United are missing Gary Neville and Louis Saha for the trip to Wembley.
Wes Brown and John O'Shea are both battling it out to take Neville's place at right-back.
Ryan Giggs will take over the captain's armband from Neville as he looks to win his fifth FA Cup winners' medal.
Ferguson also has a selection dilemma at left-back with Patrice Evra and Gabriel Heinze vying for the spot.
United chief Ferguson must also decide what formation to play as he could decide to bolster his midfield with the inclusion of Darren Fletcher or opt to give Alan Smith a start in attack.
United's Player of the Season Cristiano Ronaldo is in line to make his 150th start for the club against Chelsea.
The Portuguese international become public enemy number one following England's World Cup exit over his spat with Wayne Rooney.
It had been thought Ronaldo's tenure in England had been set to end, but he stayed with The Red Devils and enjoyed one of his best seasons ever.
Ronaldo's performances culminated in him landing both the PFA and Football Writers' Association Player of the Year and he is honoured to accept the awards.
"When someone speaks wrong about you, you want to show this is not right. This is what I've tried to do," he told Sky Sports News.
"I've tried to play well. I've tried to help the team. This is what's happened this season.
"I think I'm more consistent, more mature, and I'm very happy for this.
"I'm not saying the people spoke badly about me before because I see the newspapers.
"This is fantastic for me to receive this trophy from journalists, it's amazing."
This was only the second time this season United have lost on their own ground and it finished as a love-in, one of those rare occasions when both sets of supporters could head home feeling invigorated. As West Ham's joyous following celebrated the implications of Carlos Tevez's decisive goal, the home supporters stayed behind for the trophy to be brought on to the pitch by half a dozen members of Sir Matt Busby's title-winning 1955-56 side.
Sporting Lisbon starlet Nani wants to follow in Cristiano Ronaldo's footsteps and join Manchester United. Nani, who has been likened to United star Ronaldo, will snub interest from clubs across Europe in order to achieve his dream move to Old Trafford.
Sir Alex Ferguson is an admirer of the 20-year-old and is thought to be ready to trigger a £17.5million clause in Nani's contract.
Nani came through the same youth system as Ronaldo at Sporting and wants to join his friend in the Premiership.
The Portuguese youngster is determined to make the move to United and has snubbed the opportunity to sign for Atletico Madrid.
"I'll only leave Portugal to play for a club like United," Nani told the Daily Mirror.
"The Premiership is spectacular and to be the next Cristiano would be a dream."
Ronaldo makes plea for the return of the missing 3 year old girl Maddie in English and Portuguese
As expected the Football Association have charged Manchester City's Michael Ball with violent conduct following his clash with Cristiano Ronaldo.
The City defender was caught on television reacting off-the-ball and appeared to stamp on Ronaldo's chest.
Having reviewed television evidence, the FA have now charged Ball in relation to the incident.
Ball has until Wednesday to respond to the charge - which carries an automatic three-match ban.
The case will be heard by a disciplinary commission on Thursday.
