Franck Ribery To Manchester United

It has been reported that Manchester United are planning to sign Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery this summer, according to a report in the News of the World claiming that the English champions have joined the chase for the French international and will beat off competition from the likes of Barcelona and Inter to sign the 25-year-old.

The paper reports that their sources at the Nou Camp believe that the Red Devils are almost certain to capture Ribery and have already begun negotiations with the Bayern man. Ribery joined Bayern in 2007 from Marseille and has been a huge hit in the Bundesliga helping his side claim a league and cup double last season.....Back To Home Page...

Make Or Break Time For Manchester United

Manchester United play Aston Villa today and a month ago you could hardly expect that both teams would be in such poor form.

United have lost a couple of games against Liverpool and Fulham and for the majority of both games the team simply played badly. The second half against Fulham was much better as United belied having ten men only for an inspired Mark Schwartzer to make a series of saves before Fulham won the game on the break. So with United hurting after Fulham the last thing that the team needed was an international break, or was it - Sir Alex Ferguson seems to think it has helped. But with Liverpool winning, ironically at Fulham, yesterday United simply must get back to winning ways or the lost momentum will probably cost us that 18th title. The loss of Scholes, Rooney and Vidic to suspension, Berbatov to injury and Tevez likely to be jetlagged suggests that other players need to step up - not least a suddenly fragile looking defence.

Aston Villa's form has collapsed as the fatigue injuries have sapped a small squad that started the season very early. Arsenal is on a powerhouse run but Villa must retain the pressure because Arsenal have a very tough run-in including games against the top three. If Villa remains in touch with them there may yet be opportunities to overtake them. Unfortunately Everton is also catching up so Villa need to stop a run of three straight defeats today to give some hope that the long chase for the Champions' League could have a happy ending.....Back To Home Page...

Aston Villa Up Against It

Martin O'Neil's Aston Villa are 7-1 to beat Manchester United. On Sunday two teams in poor form meet at Old Trafford and the stakes could not be higher for either side. Between them they've leaked 16 goals during their last 3 league games and mustered just one victory.

Villa are fading out of contention for Champions league qualification having picked up just 1 point from their last 15 available and recent history between the 2 sides does not give Villa fans cause for optimism. The point gained by Villa in their goalless draw against the champions earlier in the season was the first point taken from this fixture in the last 12 premiership games between the 2 sides, home or away. Less shamedly Villa have failed to register a victory versus Man Utd at Old Trafford since the Premiership began.

Things get worse for Villa when you consider Man Utd have won all of their games against sides occupying 5th-8th in the Premiership since 2006/7. Man Utd's record against sides this season that fulfill this profile is played 3 won 3, conceded 0 and all 3 games have been won HT/FT. Similarly, last season Man Utd won 5/8 to nil and 6/8 HT/FT.

Despite boasting the Premierships 3rd best away record Villa have failed to score and lost 3 of their last 4 games against top 4 sides and have failed to score in 9 of their last 13 league games against Man Utd.

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Usain Bolt To Sign For Manchester United

Well, maybe not but he has been signed up to do some sprint training with them after Ronaldo had asked him for some tips on speed. Sprint champ Usain Bolt will work with Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo next month.

Bolt, who won the sprint double in Beijing last summer, has been signed up to compete in an innovative 150metre street race in Manchester on May 17, but United fan Bolt plans to visit the Carrington training ground two days earlier after being asked for tips on running by Ronaldo.

He will also attend the clash between United and Arsenal on May 16 — and be welcomed on the Old Trafford pitch at half-time.

The Jamaican, 22, said: “I’m looking forward to giving Ronaldo a few tips so United have the edge over Arsenal. Maybe he can give me some football tips at the same time. I’m a left-footer and with my pace maybe I can speak to Sir Alex Ferguson and see what he can do for me.”

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Singapore Sports School to offer a 6-years long term athlete development programme

Singapore Sports School to offer 6-year education programme@CNASINGAPORE: Singapore Sports School has plans to introduce a six-year education programme next year. Currently, the school offers a four-year O-Level course for its students.Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Vivian Balakrishnan, joined in the school's 5th anniversary celebrations on Thursday.He also opened "The

Brazilian Ace On The Brink Of Manchester United Move

As I have reported before, Douglas Costa is high on Manchester United's shopping list and they are favourites to sign him after Villarreal pulled out of the race to sign him.

The Gremio winger, dubbed the new Ronaldinho, was reportedly on the verge of sealing a move to Spain in the summer but Villarreal chief executive Jose Luis Llaneza has ruled out the possibility of signing him.Costa has a contract at Gremio until 2013 but an offer of around £12million is likely to be enough to sign the 18-year-old.

Real Madrid are also interested but the exciting South American prospect is rumoured to prefer a move to Old Trafford and link up with fellow countryman Anderson.

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Anderson Picks Up Injury Ahead Of Villa Showdown

Manchester United’s Anderson is in doubt for this weekend’s clash with Aston Villa after picking up an injury while on international duty with Brazil.

Anderson was set to step into the suspended Paul Scholes’ position on the weekend but will definitely miss this club game as well as Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Peru on Wednesday.

A statement on the Brazilian Football Confederation's website said: "The player, under the assistance of team doctor Jose Luis Runco, had an MRI scan on Tuesday afternoon in which the strain was confirmed.

"The player has started recovery treatment.".....Back To Home Page...