Reds bar for Bangkok

Reds fans in Thailand will soon have a place to meet, eat and watch the matches - the Manchester United Restaurant & Bar in Bangkok.

The new venue will serve Thai, Asian and English / American cuisine and show United games and other major sporting events live on a state-of-the-art video wall. Fans will also be able to watch the action while drinking or dining outdoors, thanks to a giant projector screen. The restaurant and bar will also be adorned with United memorabilia and photos of players past and present.


The Bangkok outlet will be the third Reds-themed restaurant and bar to be opened by Manchester United Food & Beverage Asia Pte Ltd (MUFB Asia), with two such venues already open in the Indonesian cities of Jakarta and Bandung. Another is planned for Seoul, Korea before the end of this year.

Andy Yun, chief executive officer of MUFB Asia, said: “We believe United’s fans in Thailand have been waiting for a place like this to bring them closer to the Club.

“We’re confident that over time, the Manchester United Restaurant & Bar will become the connecting point between the Club and its 14 million fans in Thailand.”

MUFB Asia has granted a franchise to Venture Group to open the Manchester United Restaurant & Bar in the city of Bangkok. The company has secured a site within a new four-star hotel at Sukhumwit 11 Road which will open its doors in October 2008.

The signing of the franchise agreement was done in the presence of the Premier League trophy during its three-week tour of Asian cities. The trophy had previously been paraded by the club’s commercial partners in Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and Singapore.
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Queiroz urges Ronaldo to stay

Carlos Queiroz has urged Cristiano Ronaldo to stay at Old Trafford because the club can give him the "attention and affection" he deserves.

The Reds' number two is keen not to comment on media speculation that Ronaldo will join Real Madrid, but insists United is the best place for the winger to be next season.

"Manchester United is very special," Queiroz told Portuguese radio station Renascenca. "Because of that we know how to surround Cristiano completely with all the affection and all the attention he deserves.

"However, not speaking is the most sensible course of action at this moment, so that we don't contribute to a less than positive spectacle and so we don't aid those whose interests are difficult to identify."

Queiroz has also been linked with the Portugal coaching job vacated by Luis Felipe Scolari, but refused to declare his interest in the post.

"I'm not going to put myself in the market because the decision on the national coach should not be a result of those who make themselves candidates, but a decision that is conscious, rational and based on what the Federation judges [believe] is necessary for the team.

"I'm not going to tell you whether or not I'm contacted, that way I know for sure that it will be dealt with in due form and in due place."
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Real: We won't pay £80m

Real Madrid last night ruled out a mega-bid for Cristiano Ronaldo. President Ramon Calderon denied Real will smash the transfer world record by saying: “We’ll never pay £80million for one player.” And in another amazing twist, SunSport can reveal United would not be allowed to let Ronaldo rot in the stands rather than let him go. FIFA rules state a player can walk away if he features in fewer than 10 per cent of his club’s matches in a season. Calderon, who has infuriated United boss Alex Ferguson with his public chasing of Ronaldo, now claims to be delighted the player has made public his desire to move to the Bernabeu. He said: “We are very happy with the declaration of the player. But it does not depend on him, it depends on United. There is no issue with Ronaldo but they don’t want to sell. The English club have to make the first step. United have the last word.”
Antony Kastrinakis, The Sun Read more...