10/10/2007 15:23, Report by Steve BartramTransfer Rumours: Oct 07Although the transfer window will not open again until January, a number of players are already being linked with mid-season moves to Old Trafford.

Following rumours that United are set to rival Arsenal for the signature of defender Miguel Veloso, Sporting Lisbon have denied that the Reds have first option to sign the Portuguese U21 international.

"Manchester United do not have a preference on him (Veloso) or any other players of Sporting Lisbon," said a club spokesman, following predictions that Veloso would follow former Sporting prospects Ronaldo and Nani to Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, Monaco striker Jeremy Menez is tipped to be at the centre of a transfer tug-of-war between United and Liverpool, who have both been alerted by the 20-year-old striker's displays this season.

According to the tabloids, United are definitely looking at the younger end of the market, with 17-year-old Nigerian starlet Macauley Chrisantus also linked.

The striker starred in Nigeria's triumphant World Under 17 championships, and is expected to leave his current club Abuja in the near future, with all Europe's top clubs allegedly interested.

10/10/2007 09:05, Report by Ben HibbsSimpson a ready-made RedThe coach that helped guide Gary Neville through United's youth ranks says the Reds have a long-term successor for the club skipper.

Danny Simpson was impressive against Wigan Athletic on Saturday, complimenting a solid defensive display with an assist for Wayne Rooney, who capped off a 4-0 victory. The 20-year-old right-back clearly has a promising future. However, Eric Harrison, who coached the famed class of '92, says Neville will take some displacing.

"If Gary stays clear of injuries then I see him playing past his mid-30s," Harrison told the Manchester Evening News. "It's going to be a big battle for Danny, but at least the manager knows he has someone there with the potential and character to challenge Gary."

In years to come, Harrison believes Simpson has the attributes to make the grade at Old Trafford. "He is very similar to Gary in attitude," added Eric. "Gary wasn't as naturally talented or technically gifted as his contemporaries like David Beckham and Paul Scholes, but he was captain at 16 because he was made of the right stuff. He worked tirelessly on his game, grafting to become better technically and he succeeded by hard work.

"Danny is the same. He was a decent player as a young kid but not technically the best. But he listens, learns and it sinks in with him. His improvement has been tremendous. I don't know whether the coaches at United had question marks over him but when you see a young player work hard, take things on board and progress like Danny has you tick his box."

08/10/2007 15:22, Report by Ben HibbsNeville ready to returnReds skipper Gary Neville could make his long-awaited return to action this week for United's Reserves.

Brian McClair's side take on Liverpool on Thursday and the 32-year-old has been pencilled in to play for some much-needed match practice.

Neville has been in training for over two weeks now, but he hasn't played since March. An ankle injury, which required surgery in the summer, kept him out at the end of the last term, while this season calf and thigh injuries have prevented him turning out for the first-team.

"We're hoping to use Gary against Liverpool Reserves this week. That's the plan," says Sir Alex Ferguson. "He's getting better and he's improving all the time.

"He's over his last injury and he has been training now for over two weeks and he is at a good level," added the boss. "He's been out for so long that he needs games now and hopefully he can start on Thursday. It will be a good introduction for him game-wise."

You can watch the match live and exclusively on MUTV. Coverage, including match build-up starts at 18:30 BST, with highlights available on MUTV Online from Friday

10/10/2007 08:26, Report by Steve BartramRobbo: Eagles will stayFormer United captain Bryan Robson admits it is unlikely he will be able to take Reds winger Chris Eagles on loan to Sheffield United.

The Blades manager has spoken of his admiration for the 21-year-old before, and had been tipped to make a loan move after United's Carling Cup exit to Coventry.

However, Robson told the Sheffield Star: "Eagles is a very good player, but I don't think Sir Alex will be letting him out.

"Hopefully I can bring a few loan players in. You always keep working on that, you can always improve.

"You can stand around all day and talk about the players you want to bring in. Like I've always said, if I've got something 100 per cent solid then I'll let the fans know."

Following last month's humbling against the Sky Blues, Sir Alex Ferguson conceded that he would have to loan out a host of his younger players in order to give them senior action.

While Lee Martin and Darron Gibson have since joined Plymouth and Wolves respectively, it seems that Eagles will remain part of the Reds' senior squad.

09/10/2007 09:33, Report by Ben HibbsWolves snatch GibsonUnited's young Irish midfielder Darron Gibson is set to join Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan.

The 19-year-old Republic of Ireland international, who will stay with Mick McCarthy's Championship side until January, made his United debut a day after his 18th birthday in the Carling Cup win over Barnet in October 2005.

He has not experienced any further first-team football since, but he has been a regular and impressive performer in the Reds' reserves.

McCarthy believes Gibson, an attacking midfielder, will add depth to his promotion-chasing team's midfield department.

"Darron is a talented midfielder that will bring us real competition for places in central midfield," McCarthy told the official Wolves website. "He is only 19 but he is a good player and has a good range of passing."

Gibson could make his debut against Charlton Athletic on Saturday 20 October.


Ronaldo: My Euro dream
Cristiano Ronaldo insists he is more intent on winning the Champions League with Manchester United than lifting the World Player of the Year award. The 22-year-old Portuguese could top last season's Player and Young Player of the Year awards by following the likes of Ronaldinho and Zinedine Zidane in scooping the FIFA trophy. But Ronaldo said: "It's always nice to be recognised individually but the most important thing is winning things as a team with Manchester United. "The priority for us this season is the Champions League and retaining the title."
Darren Lewis, Daily Mirror

Meanwhule, AC Milan star Kaka has nominated England as one of the two destinations which could tempt him if he ever decides to leave Italy and says United and Arsenal would enter the equation - probably ahead of Chelsea or Liverpool.

Ex-United keeper Mark Bosnich insists he still has time to resurrect his career.

Round up by Gemma Thompson

11/10/2007 07:18, Report by Ben HibbsNani surprises Sir AlexSir Alex Ferguson has been pleasantly surprised by the way Nani has settled since moving from Sporting Lisbon, and the Reds boss predicts a bright future ahead for the Portuguese winger.

The 20-year-old has played in 11 of United's opening 13 fixtures in 2007/08, seven of which have been starts.

“There's tremendous potential in the boy,” he said. “We’re really quite bullish about him.”

It was initially expected that Nani would be used in a way that allowed Ryan Giggs regular rests. However, a combination of injuries and a relatively seamless settling-in period have led to a more permanent involvement.

“Our long-term view was that he'd come in for Giggs now and again," said the boss. "But he's played quite a few times already and what we've seen so far are things that you only pick up after the player joins. He’s quicker than I thought – very, very quick, in fact. He’s also a marvellous crosser of the ball.

"He’ll settle in more as he learns the language. He's keen, and he’s doing all right with his English. There’s great potential there, and he’s only 20, so he's only going to get better."