A round-up of news and gossip relating to Manchester United over the past 24 hours.
The Daily Mail claims that Manchester United will persist in their pursuit of Robin Van Persie having had an initial enquiry rejected. Wenger is reluctant to sell his captain to Arsenal’s long-standing rivals but the article suggests paradoxically that league champions Manchester City are currently favourites for the Dutchman after front-runners Juventus turned their attentions to Fiorentina’s Stevan Jovetic.
BBC Sport confirmed Arsenal have rejected Manchester United’s bid believed to be in the region of £15 million with similar bids from City and Juve similarly dismissed. The North London club are demanding a fee in the region of £25-30m.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s press conference in South Africa during Manchester United’s pre-season tour has ignited several stories in today’s press:
The Mirror addresses Ferguson’s view on Kenny Dalglish’s dismissal. The United manager contends that Dalglish’s handling of Luis Suarez during the racism affair was ultimately the defining factor in Liverpool owner John Henry’s decision to sack his manager. Ferguson was nevertheless keen to refute theories that the year’s topical racism was widespread in the game.
The Mirror also focuses on Ferguson’s title challenge to champions Manchester City. The manager asserts that his team, and not that of City, are the team to beat and alludes to past campaigns where United have typically responded strongly to losing seasons.
The Sun’s report instead centres on the United boss’ admission that defender Rio Ferdinand would unlikely play for England again. The 33-year-old was left out of Roy Hodgson’s squad for the European Championships but Ferguson has said that the player’s priority lies with his club hinting that the player could play until the age of 37 if fitness permits.
Sir Alex Ferguson was ambivalent in his responses when queried about Danny Welbeck’s contract negotiations. The 21-year-old who broke into the Man Utd first-team this past season has only a year remaining on his contract. The manager, whilst praising Welbeck’s accelerated progress, challenged the striker to improve his goalscoring rate; the youngster netted nine goals last term. With both parties eager to reach an agreement, chances of a new deal for the England international should not be far off.
Goal.com speculates that United have turned their attentions to Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin after being priced out of a move for Brazilian Lucas Moura. The player would be available at £20 million although Jose Mourinho is willing to give the Turkey international a full pre-season to prove himself after an injury ravaged season in his maiden season in Madrid following his move from Dortmund.
The football website also reports that Darren Fletcher has denied rumours that he will retire from football due to long-term battles with ulcerative colitis. The 28-year-old, who managed 10 games last season, is adamant that he will make a full recovery and return to the first-team fold.
And finally, 20-year-old Manchester United defender has joined League One side Coventry City on a season-long loan. The defender is the younger brother of current Sunderland player Wes Brown.
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