Fergie's summer signings

So far SAF has signed Antonio Valencia, Michael Owen and Gabriel Obertan, and has said “But I feel we have a good squad, which meant there was no need for knee-jerk reactions.” which may open the door for more transfers in the January transfer window. In my view, this is exactly what he has done, spent wisely and not bought players that the fans want to see there.

This is no real shock for United fans, as they have heard this one before – I seriously think that he may have his tactics right for a January signing, but this then may count the player out of European Games, as he may well have played in Europe for another club.

Ferguson also broke the silence on the Carlos Tevez affair, stating “I spoke to him and gave him an offer on the night we played Inter Milan (in March) and he never came back to me. I phoned him on holiday and he never got back to me and I texted him twice and he never got back to me then either, so obviously he had made his mind up a long time ago. He was a good player and did well for us. But he obviously assessed the situation and wanted to go somewhere else.” Which will also give United fans the answer they were looking for.

In the press conference it was also confirmed that Michael Owen will wear the famous Number 7 top, which has caused a stir among some United fans.

Will start for the Blue of City...

Tevez failed to agree a deal with United after his 2 year loan spell ended, and was being chased by Liverpool and Chelsea – as well as Manchester City. After publicly ruling out a move to Liverpool because of the rivalry he has decided to sign for local neighbours and arguably a more hated team – Manchester City.

It is thought that Tevez will be one of the clubs highest earners (not surprisingly) and is likely to be confirmed as a City player late on Monday night or Tuesday morning.

I can’t help but have a bad taste in my mouth, and only wish that Roy Keane was still playing to hand out the punishment he deserves for such a thoughtless move. Money talks ladies and gents – and I thought the Terry to City transfer was a press office stunt by Terry to become the highest earner at Stamford Bridge, looks like he could well be the highest earner – at Manchester City.

You couldn’t write this stuff – you really couldn’t.

Aguero Heading for United

Manchester United were willing to go as far as £30million with Nani heading the opposite direction, although it is thought that Madrid are holding out for Berbatov as part of the deal to replace Agüero. Sir Alex has been a keen admirer of the young Argentine hot-shot for a few years now, and with Tevez and Ronaldo both gone, now would be an ideal time to bring in such talent.

Agüero, who is 21, has been capped 18 times by Argentina and has scored 6 times since his debut in 2006.

England's first innings.

The Aussies soon found their feet after an early scare – Making good use of the wicket. After turning England around for 435, the Aussies managed an impressive 249 for 1. Day 3 proves to be the turning point, should the Aussies be able to keep up their momentum.

Rossi to City?

Rossi was tipped as being one of the best rising stars from United Youth academy, scoring just once in 5 games for United before having loan spells with Newcastle United and Parma, respectively. His record in Italy was 9 goals from 19 games, which was a good return, although his time at Newcastle he was used as a Target man for long balls in the last 5 minutes of the game, after him being played out of position he returned to United, to go back out on loan to Parma.

After his Loan spell in Parma, he returned to United to look for first team football, which United could not guarantee. On the 31st July 2007 – United confirmed that they had sold the player to Villarreal for an undisclosed fee of around £6.6million.

He is currently one of the first team regulars at El Submarino Amarillo (Villarreal’s nickname) scoring 23 times from 57 appearances, he has also been capped by his country on 8 occasions, scoring 3 times.

Sell Back Clause
When Manchester United decided to sell the Italian striker, they agreed a sell back clause in the transfer which enabled United to buy back the striker at a later date. News of this proposed Transfer to City, may temp Sir Alex into taking up this clause and snatch him from the jaws of the Bitter Rivals across the City.

Manchester City have already signed a host of players and continue to be linked with prestigious footballing names – they are currently going about getting John Terry to turn his back on Chelsea to sign for them.

The Famous Urn.

It is finally here again, The Ashes. Along with that comes with glamour and glitz, if you can even call it that – of the press. Today proves to be an historic day also, in the fact that it is the first time Wales have hosted an Ashes test.

Cardiff has embraced itself for over 100,000 spectators to visit the Welsh Capital, over this coming 5-day period. Fans have also been warned to allow plenty of time for travel arrangements as they expect motorways and entrances to Cardiff to be the busiest for years.

It has been well publicised that this test will bring an astonishing £10-15million worth of economy to Cardiff. Welsh Secretary Peter Hain said this was a “Welcome Boost to the local community. We’ve seen several major sporting events held in Cardiff over the last 10 years from the Rugby World Cup to FA Cup finals but this is the first time a cricket Test match has been played in Wales”

Welcome Boost to the local community. We’ve seen several major sporting events held in Cardiff over the last 10 years from the Rugby World Cup to FA Cup finals but this is the first time a cricket Test match has been played in Wales

ESPN to launch UK Channel

The new channel is currently going to be aired on Sky TV, for an additional charge or £9 if you are a SkySports subscriber, or £12 if you do not have SkySports as part of your package. They are also in talks with UK-Pay TV to see if they can get the channel broadcasted on that platform too.

Sky will broadcast, produce and be responsible for the advertising on the channel, although it will be branded by ESPN. ESPN also owns rights to show American football, ice hockey, baseball and college football and basketball throughout Europe, which it used to show in the UK on its ESPN America channel.

ESPN is owned by The Walt Disney Company.

Cristiano Ronaldo - What a winker.

With such a young talent going for such a high price, will Ronaldo be phased by his price-tag, of course not – as either way he is set to earn mega-bucks, and Real Madrid will have him jumping through rings to payback the price tag. You can bet your last pound that the marketing will have already started, from the Far East right back to his home-town in Portugal.

A close friend of mine was in Portugal last week, only to see the banks advertising Cristiano telling them ‘I know my money is in safe hands” – I bet it is. There is going to be no end to the amount of cash made from this new brand, which could even make Beckham’s sponsorships look small.

The up-shot of it is, eventually his football will go downhill from the publicity – this is my view, based on how much protection he had at United. A few years back while in Madrid we were walking toe to toe with the likes of Figo etc, so you know that he will not be protected from the media and this show pony press antics will eventually slip up.

On a final word – “Good luck in the future from Man Utd” always seems to read to me as – “Thanks for doing the job you were paid to do, now theres the rope”…

Don’t let the door hit your backside on the way out young fella.

Gabriel Obertan

Obertan, who has been watched in the past by Wenger, was tipped as being one of the most promising youngsters when he broke into the Bordeaux first team, aged just 17-years old.

Last year Obertan spent most of the season on loan at FC Lorient – as he found himself getting less playing time for Bordeaux. He scored once in 15 appearances for FC Lorient. Obertan has also been capped 8 times at Under 21 level, scoring just once.

Eto'o is willing to drop wages for United

The Cameroonian hot-shot was demanding a £15million golden handshake from Barca, but also said that for him to move to City he would need £250,000 a week – making him the highest paid footballer in the world. Last season under the then new boss Pep Guardiola, Eto’o was told he was up for sale, and ’surplus to requirements’ at the Camp Nou.

Eto’o has now told Spanish Papers – that he would be willing to lower his wage demands for a move to City rivals Manchester United. With United still in the market to strengthen their squad after the recent arrivals of Antonio Valencia and Michael Owen, both covered by VivaUnited.co.uk