Park progressing well

Sidelined Reds midfielder Ji-sung Park says his recovery is going to plan and he hopes to be back playing for United early in 2008.

The Korean midfielder, who underwent surgery on a knee injury in California this summer, hasn't played since scoring in the 4-1 Premier League win over Blackburn in March earlier this year. But he says his rehabilitation is on course.

"Hopefully I'll be playing again early in the New Year," he said in an interview with FIFA's official website. "My knee is getting better and it's a case of so far, so good."

Despite being absent until the title run-in, the 26-year-old is positive about United's chances of retaining the Premier League crown this season, and impressed by the Reds' new signings Owen Hargreaves, Nani, Anderson and Carlos Tevez.

"I'm confident that we can retain the Premier League title this season," he said. "We've got a good squad and the manager has brought some good players into the team to improve it even further."

"The new signings have all impressed me in different ways," he added. "Nani is very quick, Owen works hard and Carlos has great vision. Anderson hasn't played much, but I am looking forward to seeing more of him." Read more...

Player of the Month: August

United fans have voted Owen Hargreaves the Reds' Player of the Month for August, even though the 26-year-old played in just two of United's five competitive fixtures.

More than 14,000 ManUtd.com users took part in the poll, which saw the former Bayern Munich midfielder up against Patrice Evra, Nani, Paul Scholes and Nemanja Vidic.

Vidic collected an impressive 27% of the vote after a number of commanding displays at the heart of United's back four, but it was Hargreaves' performances against Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur that saw more than 5000 fans vote for the England international.

In the end, Hargreaves, who has won ManUtd.com Man of the Match awards in United's last three matches, scooped 38% of the vote, leaving Evra, Scholes and Nani to share the remaining 35%. Read more...

Sir Bobby not Keane on Roy

Sir Bobby Charlton reckons Roy Keane isn't the right man to replace Alex Ferguson as Manchester United boss. The United legend believes Fergie's reign at Old Trafford will continue for at least three years. But Charlton also thinks the Scot's replacement should not be an ex-United player. That would rule out Sunderland boss Keane and Blackburn's Mark Hughes, who are two of the favourites for the role. Charlton said: "I think there have been a lot of mistakes made by a lot of clubs in getting managers who have already been some part of the club in their career. I don't buy that. If he's a good manager it doesn't matter who he is, where he comes from or even what nationality he is. People say only an old player could do it but maybe it's better to have a clean bill of health. Maybe give it to somebody who will really clear the decks."
Andrew Haigh, The Sun Read more...

Glazers hit back over United debt claims

The Glazer family have strongly denied that Manchester United's debts are spiralling out of control.

A report from the Manchester United Supporters Trust, due to be released tomorrow, claims that the club's interest payments have increased by £28million this year.

It also claims that increased TV revenue and money from a new shirt sponsorship deal with AIG is being used to service debts.

But a Glazer family spokesman this morning dismissed the report saying: 'The story is inaccurate. Nothing has changed. The debts continue to be comfortably serviced by the business, which is performing better than ever.

'As always there have been substantial funds for the manager to purchase players over the summer.'

The Manchester United Supporters Trust have challenged the Glazer family to 'open up the books to independent scrutiny' amid claims that the club's debts are spiralling out of control.

A publication from the MUST, due to be released tomorrow, claims the interest payments of the Old Trafford club have increased by £28million this year.

A statement from MUST released to PA Sport read: 'The Glazers' claim that 'nothing has changed' is laughable. Why then were they forced to cancel plans to refinance some of the debt this summer? Have interest rates not gone up? Has the global credit crunch not begun to bite?

'The Glazers' debt is tied into LIBOR [the London Interbank Offered Rate], and if the economics of the world change, then debt changes.

'Furthermore, our calculations are based on the Glazers' own refinancing documents of 2006, which were signed by Joel Glazer himself. If they wish to dispute the figures, then let them open up the books to independent scrutiny.

'Let the Glazers bring their own figures out and we would be happy to be proved wrong and for the club to be shown to be less debt-laden than we think it is.'

The statement continued: 'The facts are simple: there is a vast debt of £660m hanging over the club, which carries with it vast interest rates and annual repayment demands of up to £100m, whilst ticket prices have risen astronomically in each of the last three seasons under the Glazers.

'Money for players has either been offset by sales, or has had payment schedules spread way into the future, with little money offered up front.'

The statement concluded: 'The team did wonderfully last season, and we're delighted, but sticking our heads in the sand about what's happening off the pitch would do a grave disservice to those marvellous efforts.'

United have spent heavily since the end of last season, recruiting Owen Hargreaves, Carlos Tevez, Nani and Anderson, and Sir Alex Ferguson has not been restricted in the transfer market since the Glazers completed their £790m takeover in 2005.

United fans have been hit with a 14% rise in ticket prices this season but the club has to fund rising player salary demands and keep stars like Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand at Old Trafford.

The Trust report claims that the Glazer family 'continue to face an extraordinary and growing debt problem'.

The report states that since last year's refinancing, United and the Glazers have been faced with 'a series of interest rate rises which have increased the annual debt service bill from £62m a year on the total debt of £660m.

'The interest bill is currently an annualised £100m-plus, of which £73m is payable this year and the other £27m in the future - a ticking debt time-bomb.'

Reports have emerged over recent weeks of potential buyers for United based in China and Dubai but the Glazers have stressed that they have no interest in selling and are completely committed to the club. Read more...

United winger Ryan Giggs married long-term partner Stacey Cooke in Manchester on Friday afternoon.

United winger Ryan Giggs married long-term partner Stacey Cooke in Manchester on Friday afternoon.

Ryan and Stacey tied the knot in an intimate ceremony, joined by close friends and family - including their two children, Liberty and Zach.

Everybody at Manchester United would like to offer their congratulations to the happy couple. Read more...