Still Following the Trawler

United beat Galatasaray last Tuesday in the Champions League – a fairly customary 1-0 that went rather unnoticed, with the limelight being shone firmly on a couple of the other Premier League representatives who were both taught a nasty lesson on what not to do when you’re winning. But the biggest victory in Manchester that night was in the return to the squad of one Darren Fletcher. As you are all no doubt aware, Fletcher had been sidelined since November 22nd because of a bowel condition that threatened his career.   His condition was such that Sir Alex had feared that was the end of the road for Fletch: Ferguson’s last remaining member of 'Fledgling Mark II' – the same school that included O’Shea, Richardson and…Danny Pugh. However, with about 11 minutes remaining on the clock, Fletcher replaced Paul Scholes and the stadium erupted: “ The supporters recognize what a tough time he has had for the last year," Ferguson continued, "They gave him a marvellous reception...

...to play in a charity match against Real Madrid next year! Read the full story here - BBC: ' Usain Bolt may play for Manchester United in charity game'

'Trust in dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity' Khalil Gibran Cristiano Ronaldo dreamed of one thing as a child – to play for Real Madrid. Via United, he trusted in his dream, and developed into one of the finest footballers the world has ever seen. Real, you could say, was his ‘gate to eternity’. But what happens when you wake up from the dream...? After celebrating a casual brace against Granada on Sunday evening – his 113th and 114th league goals in 104 games for Real – in a rather more-subdued-than-usual fashion, he was asked after the game why the glum reaction. His response was somewhat intriguing... "I am sad and the club knows it, that's why I didn't celebrate the goals. The people in the club know why." Has Ronaldo grown tired of Madrid? Is ‘living the dream’ not all it’s cracked up to be? And most importantly: has the grass actually always been greener in Manchester, he’s only just begun realising it? Well, it’s worth dreaming about, is...

What's this? A rampant, minted United bidding for yet ANOTHER player?? And more to the point, apparently nicking him from right under Liverpool’s nose ! Tremendous. Not that I have a clue about the boy Herrara – other than he was part of Mexico's Olympic 2012 winning side. So here are a few key-pointers about our potential new-boy... Hector Miguel Herrara is a 22 year-old midfielder currently playing for Pachuca, in Mexico's top tier In 2011 he made 14 appearances for Pachuca, winning the Golden Ball as the rookie of the Apertura tournament He scored for Mexico in their 4-2 win over Senegal in the Olympics Quarter Final match earlier this month – en route to beating favourites Brazil in the final He has already made 20 appearances for his country He is nicknamed 'Zorro'

Berbatov in his most natural position at United. Ouch. That's the news emerging from the tabloids today, as Fiorentina become the latest club to monitor the now fifth-choice United striker. - Daily Mail:   Fiorentina target Berbatov as United continue efforts to release outcast striker  - The Mirror:   Go with the Flo: Berbatov in talks over a cut-price move to Fiorentina - TalkSport:   Fiorentina keen to end Man United striker's misery Long before Van Persie's signing last week it was obvious Berbatov's time at United was up. The Premier League golden boot winner in 2010/2011 was resigned to spending the majority of the following season on the bench. Behind Hernandez and the revived Danny Welbeck in the pecking order to partner Rooney, Berbs saw his opportunities diminished, playing a measly 12 games in the league - where he still manager to net seven times. An effortlessly classy striker, his Cantonaesque attitude and silky touches were absolutely incredible to wat...

With the fantastic news emerging today that 21-year-old Danny Welbeck has commited himself to the club until 2016 , slightly strange  rumours of Nani's exit  have put a downer on this. With the arrivals of Kagawa and Van Persie strengthening our attack, our forward-line has all of a sudden become top-heavy. Especially on the wings, where Kagawa and Cleverley played during Monday's shoddy defeat at Goodison Park - leaving Young, Valencia and Nani either starting out of position or on the bench. Is selling one of our best player's really the answer though? Can we not accomodate them all in Ferguson's famous squad rotation system? Only he knows the answer to that question. All I know is that I will certainly be sad to see the once frustrating, now fundamental member of our attack forced out of the side.

20th August 2012 Author:  Agustino Fontevecchia George Soros' investment firm reported a nearly 2% stake in Manchester United (AFP/File, Brendan Smialowski) Billionaire investor George Soros is known for having broken the bank of England.  Now, he’s betting on the UK’s largest soccer team, Manchester United, unveiling a big stake in the traditional football club after the bell on Monday. Soros revealed a 7.85% stake in the football club, which translates to about 3.1 million class A ordinary shares, in an SEC filing.  The billionaire investor bought the stocks through his investment firm, Soros Fund Management, and will hold them in the Quantum Fund. Despite a history rich of success on the pitch, Manchester United has performed poorly as a stock since going public ten days ago.  In a widely anticipated, and discussed, IPO, the mythical club sold 16.6 million Class A shares at $14 a piece, raising about $233 million before fees, as my colleague Chris Smith reported. ...