Europe tour squad confirmed

De Gea, Lindegaard; Evra, Ferdinand, Jones, M Keane, Vidic; Anderson, Carrick, Nani, Powell, Lingard, Scholes, Valencia, Young; Berbatov, Hernandez, Kagawa, Macheda, Rooney, Welbeck
The big news is that Nemanja Vidic will soon be playing first team football once again following his full recovery after a terrible cruciate injury last season.
After the break following Euro 2012, Manchester United have plenty of familiar faces back in the squad for this leg of the tour.  Wayne Rooney, Ashley Young, Phil Jones and Danny Welbeck have all returned as well as Patrice Evra and Nani.
David De Gea will also take part in this leg of the tour after Spain were unceremoniously knocked out of the London Olympics 2012 tournament earlier than expected.
Youngsters Jesse Lingard and Michael Keane have managed to keep their places despite the return of the full squad. Lingard in particular impressed on the South African and Chinese legs of the tour, so he will be looking to build on his successes so far and try to sneak himself into the squad for next season.
The European leg of the tour will kick off tomorrow against Valarenga in Oslo.

Man United Reach Agreement to Sign Borussia Dortmund Forward Robert Lewandowski

Italian reports state that Old Trafford side have made a deal with Bundesliga side.

Italian source Tutto Mercato are reporting that Man United have reached an agreement with Borussia Dortmund to sign Polish international Robert Lewandowski next summer ahead of the 2013/14 season.
The 23 year old striker had been strongly linked with a move to Man United in the run-up to the Euro 2012 finals but no deal was reached and it appears that Lewandowski will remain at his Bundesliga side for the coming campaign. The powerfully built forward netted 30 goals last term as he helped Jurgen Klopp’s side to a domestic double.
Sir Alex Ferguson may well feel the need to beef up his attacking options having released Michael Owen and seen Dimitar Berbatov plead for a Man United exit. With Javier Hernandez struggling for form after a successful first season at the club a move for extra firepower makes a great deal of sense.
Perhaps the knowledge of having Lewandowski ‘in the bag’ is behind Ferguson’s apparent reticence at allowing Bulgarian international Berbatov from leaving this summer. The former Tottenham man will see his contract come to an end next summer, which would therefore allow further room to be made to theoretically welcome Lewandowski to Old Trafford.

Source:CaughtOffside

Premier League announces U-21s competition

The Barclays Premier League have confirmed the creation of a new Under-21 competition to bridge the gap between the academy and first team.

The first national showcase for Under-21 players will launch on August 17 when Chelsea host Manchester City and Reading visit West Ham.

Teams from 17 Premier League and six npower Championship clubs - effectively all those who applied for category one status - will be divided into three groups.

From January the sides will then be placed into three pools based on their performance, leading to a knockout stage and final.

The emphasis will be on playing Under-21 players with each team limited to just three over-age outfield players and one over-age goalkeeper.

"Each stage of a player's development is tailored to ensuring they have the best possible chance of progressing," Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said.

"The new Barclays Under-21 Premier League addresses one of the most critical points - the transition from academy football to the highest standards in the first team.

"We believe this competitive environment, where fans can also come along to watch the next generation of Premier League and international players, will help deliver more talented home grown boys to that next level."

* National Group 1 - eight teams: Arsenal, Blackburn, Bolton, Everton, Norwich, Reading, West Brom, West Ham.
* National Group 2 - eight teams: Aston Villa, Manchester United, Newcastle, Southampton, Stoke, Sunderland, Tottenham, Watford.
* National Group 3 - seven teams: Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Liverpool, Manchester City, Middlesbrough, Wolves.

Steven Pienaar urges Everton to resist United move for Leighton Baines

Steven Pienaar has urged Everton to resist any move from Manchester United for Leighton Baines as he looks to rekindle his potent partnership with the England international at Goodison Park.
The South Africa international returned to Everton this week for £4.5m from Tottenham Hotspur, 18 months after moving in the opposite direction for £3m as he approached the end of his existing contract. He enjoyed a successful loan spell back on Merseyside in the second half of last season and was David Moyes' priority for this summer. "I told the manager at the end of last season that I would come back if I had the opportunity and he promised me he would do whatever it takes to make it happen," said the midfielder.
Pienaar is Everton's second signing of the summer, following that of Steven Naismith on a free from Rangers, and he hopes Baines, who has been linked with United since the end of last season but is yet to be the subject of an official approach, is not among any departures required to balance the books.
"It's not up to me. It's up to the club to keep their best players but hopefully he'll stay and so will the rest of the guys. It will be important for the team," said Pienaar. "We had a good understanding in the last couple of seasons so, if he stays, it will just make everyone happy as well because we know how important he is to the entire team. He can score goals from set pieces and it's not just me who benefits from playing
alongside him. He's a vital player for the club – everyone knows it from the manager to the supporters. Let's hope and see if we can hold on to him."
Pienaar and Baines have undergone a role reversal in the past two years. In 2010 Baines repeatedly asked Pienaar to ignore Tottenham's overtures and sign a new contract with Everton; now Pienaar is appealing to the left-back to stay.
He added: "Leighton texted me a few weeks ago asking me what was happening with me but I didn't ask him about his future. I know he's had some great seasons at the club and, if he does get the opportunity to move, I think everyone will respect it. But for the club it's important to keep your best players and we all want him to stay and he knows it. It's not in our hands, though."

Man United to receive $559M from GM

Manchester United will receive $559 million under its seven-year shirt sponsorship agreement with General Motors Co.'s Chevrolet division.
Chevrolet takes over from the insurer Aon starting with the 2014-15 season. Manchester United said it will receive $70 million during the first season of the new deal.
The agreement was signed July 26 and announced Monday. The financial details were disclosed by the club on Friday in a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission as part of Manchester United's planned initial public offering of stock.
United said the payment will increase 2.1 percent annually during the deal, which runs through the 2020-21 season. In addition, the club said the agreement calls for them to receive about $18.6 million in fees in each of the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons.
General Motors announced the resignation of its chief marketing officer, Joel Ewanick, on Sunday night. Ewanick had been involved in negotiating the deal.
''Mr. Ewanick failed to meet the expectations the company set for its employees,'' spokesman Greg Martin said Friday, declining additional comment.

Juventus confirm Pogba deal

Juventus have completed the signing of Paul Pogba from Manchester United, the Serie A club announced on Friday.

The 19-year-old had already featured for Juventus in the club's 1-1 friendly draw against Benfica, prior to the official deal being confirmed.

Frenchman Pogba has signed a four-year deal which will keep him at Juventus until 2016 after his contract with the Red Devils expired at the end of last season.

"I am very happy to be here, it is a real honour," he told Juventus' website. "I have been told that there is a very good standard of play and the fans support their favourites.

"I hope they take me and support me in the same way."

Pogba, an Under-19 international for France, is a product of the Le Havre youth academy, but left the French side for Manchester United in 2009.

He made his Premier League debut against Stoke City in January 2012, but found playing opportunities limited and only lined up in three top-flight games for Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

Rio hails Scholes influence

Rio Ferdinand marvels at the enduring influence of Paul Scholes and believes United’s youngsters will have learned much from him on the DHL tour so far.

Scholes has featured in all three games and his presence in training will have benefitted the likes of Ryan Tunnicliffe, Davide Petrucci and new signing Nick Powell enormously.
The 37-year-old reversed his decision to retire in January and, having signed a new deal in May, he’ll continue to impart his experience on the side for at least another season.
Ferdinand told DHLTour2012.com: "'Sat Nav' Scholes has it all – it's a great opportunity for the young players to learn from someone who has honed his craft for years and can still do it at the top level.
"To think he had a period out and can still come back and play is phenomenal. He's a shining light for all the players to look up to. Long may he continue playing!"
Sir Alex is also thrilled still to be able to count on the midfield maestro’s services, but knows he can’t go on for ever.
"A year ago, he was coaching my Reserves team," the Reds boss said. "Now he's back playing and everybody attached to United is absolutely delighted because he's such a fantastic player.
"In the long term, trying to replace Paul is a different issue all together. It's going to be very, very difficult. To replace a great player like that would be hard for anyone."