Manchester United to offload Dimitar Berbatov and Anderson

Manchester United are looking to jettison Dimitar Berbatov and Anderson in order to fund a £24 million bid for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, according to AS.

Benzema, 22, was a target for Sir Alex Ferguson last summer before he chose a move to the Spanish capital. Despite missing out on the France World Cup 2010 squad and grabbing nine goals in 32 appearances, the Scot remains a firm fan of the forward.

With money tight at Old Trafford, he is believed to be ready to cut loose Anderson and Berbatov to be able to afford his man. United are hopeful Bayern Munich will offer £20m for the Bulgarian, while French trio Olympique Lyonnais, Olympique Marseille and Paris Saint Germain all expressed an interest in Anderson before a knee ligament injury in the New Year

Manchester United dismiss Rio Ferdinand injury

Manchester United have revealed Rio Ferdinand may be fit for the opening game of the season against Newcastle despite reports he could face several months on the sidelines after suffering a knee ligament injury in the build-up to the World Cup.

The 31-year-old sustained the injury while training in Rustenburg on June 4 and had to relinquish both his place in the England squad as well as the captaincy.

It has been suggested he would be sidelined until well into the season, but the club have estimated the central defender's recovery will take 10 weeks from the time he suffered the injury.

As such Ferdinand could be ready to face the newly promoted Magpies at Old Trafford when the season starts on August 14.

Should he not make the opener then Ferdinand could possibly return in the Red Devils' following game at Fulham the following weekend or their third match against West Ham on August 28 at Old Trafford.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson had already ruled the defender out of their pre-season tour of the United States and the Community Shield against Chelsea at Wembley.

Manchester United legend considers shocking return

Manchester United legend Nicky Butt has reportedly been offered a contract by newly promoted Premier League outfit Blackpool FC. The veteran midfielder left Newcastle United after six years at St James Park last week, and according to reports the out of contract former England international has been offered a deal by Ian Holloway.

Butt, who spent 12 trophy laden years at Old Trafford, winning the Premier League six times, is also believed to be mulling over offers from Preston and Ipswich, where two of his former Manchester United teammates now reside as their respective managers, Darren Ferguson and Roy Keane.

Butt left Newcastle United after his contract expired on July 1st but the former Old Trafford enforcer appears to have plenty of suitors coveting his signature, not least Blackpool, who will begin their debut season in the Premier League on August 13th at home to Wigan Athletic.

The new Manchester United Kits for the 2010/2011

The new Manchester United Kits for the 2010/2011 season will be officially confirmed by the club's website on the 15th of July, and on the tour of America and Canada - the players will done it for the first time.

There has been quite a lot of 'fakes' this year, as there is most years. The most notable change on the Shirts will by the new AON sponsorship, worth over £80 Million to the club, no, sorry - The Glazers.

United captain Gary Neville: New Premier League rules won't improve England prospects

Manchester United defender Gary Neville doesn’t believe that new Premier League rules restricting overseas players will benefit the England national team.

Last season all Premier League clubs voted on the introduction of a quotas system on the number of foreign players in a match day squad.

The new rules state that clubs must name a squad of up to 25 players, with 8 of those being ‘home-grown’ players, with no more than 17 of those players being allowed to be over the age of 21 and not home-grown.

However, Neville doesn’t believe the regulations will aid the development of the national team in the future.

"In terms of what can be changed to improve England's prospects in future, it is quite difficult to change the whole English structure just to benefit the national team,” Neville wrote for the Sunday Times.

“The Premier League is one of the best in the world and we accommodate foreign players.”

"My view is that if English players are good enough they will come through. We already have community and school programmers.

“You could argue that the academy system needs to be improved, but there is no secret formula. England will always produce good players, but so do other countries and we can't stop them doing that."

The quality of England players has been questioned following their exit from the World Cup at the hands of a youthful German side.

Three Lions boss Fabio Capello is now expected to call on younger players when he picks his team for a friendly with Hungary next month at Wembley.

Suarez For United

Luis Suarez, who scored an incredible 49 goals in 48 games for Ajax last season, has claimed he would be interested in moving to Manchester United.

The 23-year-old striker has scored 3 goals so far in this World Cup but has been at the center of controversy following his goal line handball which helped Uruguay beat Ghana to reach the semi-finals.

“Manchester United and Barcelona are the elite clubs in Europe,” Suarez said. “If they call, you listen. I would only leave Ajax for a team in that category.”

Hernandez linked with quick switch to Valencia

Spanish newspaper Marca is today suggesting that 'complications' with Manchester United's new boy Javier Hernandez' transfer has have sprang up.

The Spanish daily, never ones to hold back when stirring things up, have a list of issues ranging from agent activity to work permit problems......and a potential move to La Liga before August is out.

Marca, as ever, have just put two and two together and came up with a steak pie.

Not for one second is IBWM suggesting there is anything untoward with Hernandez' transfer to Old Trafford - Manchester United have stated categorically that the player belongs to Manchester United - but Marca has a whiff of blood and has put cash strapped Valencia in for the striker, albeit on loan.

Whether United had envisaged any such problems is not yet known but this looks interesting.