ManchesterOnline

Owen in goals pledge

MICHAEL Owen has vowed to repay the debt he owes Sir Alex Ferguson with a goal bonanza.

A shock whirlwind transfer took just 48 hours from start to finish and sees the 29-year-old striker land a two-year Old Trafford deal.

United sign Owen

Michael Owen has sealed his shock move to Manchester United.

The former Liverpool, Real Madrid and England striker completed a series of stringent medical tests this evening and has signed a two-year deal with the champions.

Shock swoop for Owen

SIR Alex Ferguson is today on the verge of signing Michael Owen.

It would represent a major gamble by the Reds boss after missing out on his top summer targets to bitter rivals Real Madrid.

Reality bites for United

WITH the greatest respect to Antonio Valencia, his muted unveiling at United this week could hardly compare with what was happening in Madrid on the same day.

Top targets snub United

KARIM Benzema has snubbed United and is off to Real Madrid for £30m.

And Franck Ribery today revealed he wants to leave Bayern Munich and also join Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo at the Spanish giants.

Valencia waiting in the wings

SIR Alex Ferguson admits he has lost the 'best footballer in the world' in Cristiano Ronaldo - but as one star exits Old Trafford another enters.

In Antonio Valencia, Ferguson is hoping to ensure United continue their rich tradition of having thrilling wingers in their side.

Fraizer keen to join Hull

FRAIZER Campbell remains keen to join Hull City but will not be rushed into sealing a £6m move, according to his father and agent.

Tigers chairman Paul Duffen and manager Phil Brown agreed a fee with United for the England Under-21 international three weeks ago and also reached an accord in principle with the player over his personal terms.

United seal Valencia deal

UNITED have made their first signing of the summer after confirming a deal has been done for Antonio Valencia.

The 23-year-old Ecuador international has signed a four-year contract after moving for an undisclosed fee.

United complete Ronaldo sale

UNITED have officially completed the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo and banked the full £80m.

The World Player of the Year and the most expensive player of all time left with a tribute from Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

Lyon confirm Benzema bid

LYON have received a big-money offer for Karim Benzema but insist there is no agreement with Real Madrid or any other club for the forward.

The 21-year-old is one of the world’s hottest properties at the moment, with United and Madrid reportedly among those in the to sign him.

Valencia a real gem

FORMER United defender Steve Bruce reckons Sir Alex Ferguson has added another gem to United's diamond collection with Antonio Valencia.

The 23-year-old Ecuadorian completed his £16m move to Old Trafford from Wigan on Tuesday hoping to go some way to filling Cristiano Ronaldo's boots.

Fergie's noticeboard

SIR Alex Ferguson is back in his Carrington HQ office chair after his summer break planning another chapter in his remarkable United story. Welcome back Sir Alex!

From Rome to Kuala Lumpur via the Cote D'Azur, Sir Alex has been reflecting, resting and is now restructuring ready to tackle his 23rd full season at Old Trafford.

Glazers: Four years on

RIOT police wielding batons, angry protests, makeshift barriers being erected by fans to stop an escape from Old Trafford and a final dash from the stadium in blacked out police vans - that was the Glazer family's welcome to United four years ago.

M.E.N. Sport's United reporter Stuart Mathieson looks back at the American family's influence on the Reds.

Rooney ready to step up

WAYNE Rooney believes he can compensate for the summer exodus of attacking talent from United - after admitting he has not been given the chance to shine so far at Old Trafford.

Key men Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez have left the Barclays Premier League champions since the end of the season.

Ronaldo Real deal done

ONE of the longest-running transfer sagas in recent football history is over after Real Madrid and Manchester United finalised the world-record transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo to the Bernabeu.

Madrid have been closely linked with the Portugal international for a number of seasons but they now seem to have got their man after putting pen to paper on the £80million transfer that had been agreed with United earlier this month.

Douglas D-Day for United

SIR Alex Ferguson is agonising over a £20m gamble on Brazilian golden boy Douglas Costa.

Ferguson has identified the Gremio midfielder as a man with the potential to provide the goals and creativity that United will be in desperate need of in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo. But at such a hefty price tag, he knows Douglas represents a considerable risk.

Reds linked with Huntelaar

KLAAS Jan Huntelaar is the latest big-name striker to be linked with a move to United.

Given the number of big-money signings at Real Madrid this summer, it would be no surprise if Huntelaar found himself surplus to requirements at the Bernabeu Stadium.

Pictures: United's new kit

CHECK out these snaps of United's new home strip, which will be launched on July 1.

Designed to celebrate 100 years at Old Trafford, the new jersey is red with a shallow black `V' on the front.

Reds eye Aguero and Benzema

KARIM Benzema would quit Lyon, snub Real Madrid and gamble on his World Cup place if United stumped up the cash to tempt the French club to part with the sought-after striker.

That is the opinion of highly-respected French magazine L'Equipe's chief football writer Eric Bielderman.

Real join race for Benzema

LYON have confirmed Real Madrid have made enquiries about United target Karim Benzema but insist the striker is not for sale.

The young forward is one of the world's hottest properties at the moment, with Inter Milan also reported among the clubs considering a big money bid.

Tosic relishing summer job

ZORAN Tosic has been enjoying a small summer window of opportunity ahead of his giant task at United next season.

While candidates to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, either already at Old Trafford or on the Reds' transfer radar, have been off on holiday, the 22-year-old Serbian has been in Sweden starring in the European Under-21 Championships.

Ribery leaning towards Real - agent

FRANCK Ribery's agent believes the reported United target is keen on Real Madrid but insists nothing will be done until next month at the earliest.

Bayern Munich Ribery is one of Europe's hottest properties, with Chelsea and Barcelona also linked with the player.

Benzema D-Day approaching

KARIM Benzema will return from holiday this Sunday and consider his future - and United have got the Lyon French international striker at the top of their hit list.

The Reds are ready to test Benzema's resolve as they pursue goalscoring replacements for Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez.

Ronaldo relishing fresh challenge

CRISTIANO Ronaldo is looking forward to a fresh challenge in his career as he moves closer to his dream switch to Real Madrid after six hugely successful years at United.

Speaking to the press in Portugal, where he is continuing his holidays, Ronaldo revealed that although negotiations are still ongoing with Madrid, he is eager for his new life to begin at the Bernabeu.

Red dream lies four-gotten

JUST 12 months ago they were hailed as the Fab Four. A £60m transfer market masterstroke by Sir Alex Ferguson.

But now the quartet of captures from the summer of 2007 is a trio and the remaining threesome are facing a crunch campaign.

Gossip: United open Costa talks

UNITED have been linked with a move for Brazilian midfield starlet Douglas Costa as they step up their bid to replace Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Reds have opened talks with the 18-year-old's club Gremio, report the Times, and have been tracking him closely for a year.

Rivals battle for Eto'o

UNITED and City are locked in a £20m battle to sign Barcelona ace Samuel Eto'o.

And the Catalan club have told their Cameroon star he will get to decide his destiny, if both Manchester clubs are prepared to pay the asking price.

Gibson has United aim

DARRON Gibson is prepared to put his World Cup dream on hold to make it at United.

The 21-year-old would almost certainly be part of Giovanni Trapattoni's squad if the Republic of Ireland made it to South Africa next year, providing he could secure regular top flight action.

Ronaldo bids long goodbye to Reds

IT was close to dawn in Moscow and the marquee that was set up for post-Champions League final interviews from players was packed with media.

Cristiano Ronaldo, with his European Cup winner's medal around his neck, couldn't have been clearer.

Fergie closes in on Benzema

SIR Alex Ferguson will step up his pursuit of Karim Benzema now that Carlos Tevez' departure has finally been confirmed. Lyon striker, Benzema, was always going to be at the top of Ferguson's shopping list this summer, with the United manager knowing Cristiano Ronaldo would quit Old Trafford for Real Madrid.

He also wanted to keep hold of Tevez, but the Argentine's decision to turn down a five-year contract has only intensified the need for more firepower.

Tevez to leave United

CITY and Chelsea are leading the race for Carlos Tevez after he turned down the offer of a lucrative new deal at United.

The striker decided to move on because he “wasn’t the most wanted person” at Old Trafford, according to his advisor Kia Joorabchian.

New Kar for Reds

SIR Alex Ferguson has been given all the encouragement he needs to make a £30m swoop for Karim Benzema.

The United manager has tracked the Lyon striker for more than two years and has been heartened by positive noises coming out of France that he could be available at the right fee.

Charlton: We've had Ronaldo's best years

UNITED legend Sir Bobby Charlton believes Cristiano Ronaldo will eventually regret leaving Old Trafford.

The 71-year-old, who has spent more than half a century with his beloved Reds, is confident Sir Alex Ferguson will find a suitable replacement but thinks the £80m fee for the Portuguese superstar is 'vulgar.'

United's Dad's Army face final curtain

IT is shaping up to be the Mother of all retirement parties at Old Trafford next May.

With a combined age of 145 by the end of the 2010 season against Stoke City for Edwin Van der Sar, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville perhaps party is not the word.

United 2009/2010 fixture list

MANCHESTER United begin the defence of the Barclays Premier League trophy against newly promoted Birmingham at Old Trafford on August 15.

In what will be seen as a relatively gentle opening for the champions, trips to Burnely and Wigan follow before the first big test comes against Arsenal at home. The first Manchester derby takes place at home on September 19.

United know the score

WANTED: Golden Boot with proven track record at the highest level - preferable with love of all things Scottish. Apply Sir A. Ferguson Esq.

Whatever next season holds, United's first task is to fill the remarkable shooting boots of Cristiano Ronaldo and maybe Carlos Tevez.

Martinez won't block Valencia bid

UNITED’S attempts to lure Antonio Valencia from Wigan will not be blocked by new Wigan boss Roberto Martinez.

The Reds and Real Madrid have already lodged bids of £16m for the Ecuadorian winger. Wigan are now waiting for the two giants to make the next step and start official negotiations.

Now or never for Tevez

UNITED are beginning to run out of patience with their star striker Carlos Tevez.

The Argentine striker has now just 15 days until his two-year loan contract expires. United are still keen for the 25-year-old to stay at Old Trafford but are equally anxious that the complex and sometimes bewildering transfer saga does not drag on any longer.

United up Ribery chase - report

BAYERN Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has claimed United have made an offer for France playmaker Franck Ribery.

Ribery is a known target for big-spending Real Madrid but Rummenigge has revealed that United, along with Chelsea and Barcelona, have stolen a march in their pursuit of the 26-year-old.

Out with the old for United

DIMITAR Berbatov was and will remain United's odd man out.

The Bulgarian's capture bucked the trend in last summer's Old Trafford transfer market business plan.

United hit double transfer trouble

UNITED'S efforts to splash the £80m Cristiano Ronaldo cash have suffered a double blow.

Lyon's Karim Benzema and David Villa of Valencia are on the Premier League champion's radar but the Reds look to be heading up a cul-de-sac with both strikers.

Benitez: We're closing on United

LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez is confident they are closing the gap on Premier League champions United.

The Spaniard, who finally feels he has the control he needs at the club after signing a new contract in March, believes last season has laid the foundations for a new era at Anfield.

Hull confident over Campbell deal

HULL are confident of completing a deal for United's England Under-21 striker Fraizer Campbell in the near future.

The Tigers were given permission to speak to the 21-year-old after having a bid, thought to be a club record £6million, accepted earlier this month.

Zidane: Reds can be stronger without Ronaldo

UNITED can become even more powerful and better without Cristiano Ronaldo.

That's the belief of former World Player of the Year Zinedine Zidane. The Reds have pocketed £80m with the sale of the 24-year-old to Zidane's former club Real Madrid.

United: We'll spend big

UNITED are poised to start splashing out some of their £80m Ronaldo windfall by swooping for Wigan winger Antonio Valencia.

And, according to the Glazers, he won't be the only world-class player coming to Old Trafford.

Ferguson a step ahead

SIR Alex Ferguson delivered his post-Cristiano Ronaldo summer transfer business wish list to chief executive David Gill long before the World Player of the Year's departure for £80m was made official.

The United boss has known this exit was coming for some time.

Taylor backs Rooney to shine

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor believes United would have had more to fear if Wayne Rooney had left Old Trafford rather than Cristiano Ronaldo.

United confirmed they had accepted a world record £80million bid from Real Madrid for Ronaldo on Thursday, with the staggering transfer set to be concluded by June 30.

Ronaldo: My pride at historic deal

CRISTIANO Ronaldo has revealed his pride at being the subject of a 'historic' £80m bid from Real Madrid.

Queiroz congratulates Ronaldo

PORTUGAL coach Carlos Queiroz has spoken of his joy over Cristiano Ronaldo's impending move to Real Madrid.

The United winger is expected to finalise his transfer to the Spanish giants in the coming days with both clubs having already reached an agreement for his switch to the Bernabeu stadium.

Tevez future in melting pot

CRISTIANO Ronaldo's bombshell £80m sale to Real Madrid has put City's audacious move for United's Carlos Tevez back in the melting pot.

Having agreed to sell the world's best player, the Reds are under pressure from fans to shell out the remaining £25.5m to secure the Argentine striker's services on a permanent deal following his two-year loan spell.

Comment: United exit sign points one way

THERE is a theory in English soccer that when a player leaves Manchester United his career from then on heads one way only - downhill.

That theory is based on solid fact. Very few players down the years have enhanced their careers after leaving the Theatre of Dreams.

Ronaldo reaction

FORMER Manchester United player Frank Stapleton believes the club should not panic over the loss of winger Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid.

Stapleton pointed out that United had sold star players in the past and had not suffered when David Beckham and Jaap Stam left the club, or when Eric Cantona retired.

Comment: Ronaldo irreplaceable

ONE day, perhaps this coming season or perhaps the season after, it will dawn on United's owners that Cristiano Ronaldo was irreplaceable.

Although £80million in the bank softens the most painful blow, Ronaldo was as close to a priceless asset as any footballer can get.

Cristiano Ronaldo in pictures

CHECK out Cristiano Ronaldo's United career in pictures.

Ronaldo: Facts and figures

UNITED have accepted an £80m bid from Real Madrid for Cristiano Ronaldo. Check his facts and figures here.

Cristiano Ronaldo: key dates

CHECK out the key dates in the career of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Tosic fires Red reminder

FORGOTTEN United buy Zoran Tosic is looking to the European Under-21 Championships in Sweden to provide him with the platform to fire his Old Trafford career in the new season.

The 21-year-old was snapped up by Sir Alex Ferguson in the January transfer window from Partizan Belgrade.

Valdano drops Ronaldo hint

REAL Madrid general director Jorge Valdano claims the club are already in negotiations with United over Cristiano Ronaldo.

Reports in Spain suggest that new Madrid president Florentino Perez has been in talks with the Barclays Premier League club and are on the verge of breaking their own world record transfer, in euros terms, set just a few days ago for Kaka, to bring Ronaldo to the Bernabeu.

Injury-hit Ron in Hollywood

CRISTIANO Ronaldo has been spotted living it up in Los Angeles even though he could need surgery on a suspected hernia problem.

The 24-year-old United winger - subject of renewed transfer speculation from Real Madrid - pulled out of Portugal's squad for their friendly against Estonia tonight after complaining of pains in his groin following Saturday's World Cup qualifying victory over Albania.

Fergie was almost a Gunner - Leighton

FORMER Scotland, Aberdeen and United goalkeeper Jim Leighton has revealed Sir Alex Ferguson was in line to become Arsenal's manager in 1986 - before a disagreement over his unveiling.

Leighton, who was part of the Scotland squad coached by Ferguson during the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, told BBC Radio Five Live Ferguson was contacted by the Gunners just before the tournament and offered the manager's job.

A Nev-er ending story

COMEBACK King Gary Neville could become England's joint most capped full back tonight at Wembley against Andorra. Neville has 85 full international caps accrued over a period of 14 years.

National coach Fabio Capello is considering picking the 34-year-old United veteran this evening to replace Portsmouth's Glen Johnson who had a poor game in Kazakhstan at the weekend and is one booking away from a suspension in the qualifiers.

United's Ritch pickings

DANNY Welbeck and Federico Macheda will be following the Carlos Tevez transfer saga with keen interest. Could the Argentine's expected departure from Old Trafford open the door for the two teenagers?

At the same time as United cult hero Tevez makes his long-awaited decision on his future - which increasingly appears to be just down the road at Eastlands - Fraizer Campbell will be deciding on a £6m move to Hull City.

Berbatov committed to Reds

DIMITAR Berbatov has no intention of quitting Manchester United this summer.

Berbatov did not make the impact most United fans were expecting following his club record £30.75million arrival from Tottenham last summer. Carlos Tevez, meanwhile, could be heading for the exit door.

Real crank up Ronaldo pressure

REAL Madrid president Florentino Perez has set his sights on signing United star Cristiano Ronaldo after completing a move for Kaka.

AC Milan playmaker Kaka joined Madrid on Monday night for a fee of £59 million and Perez is eager to continue his 'galacticos' policy of pairing the Brazilian with Reds winger Ronaldo.