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Testing

2010-03-13T18:59:00.001-08:00

A day without a perdurable is like a day without sunshine

Owen joins Manchester United

2009-07-03T18:09:00.000-07:00

Michael Owen has been confirmed as a Manchester United player. The striker has signed a two-year deal to play at Old Trafford and no transfer was paid as the former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Newcastle forward was a free agent. United manager Sir Alex Ferguson happily confirmed the deal saying, "Michael is a world class forward with a proven goalscoring record at the highest level and that has never been in question. Coming to Manchester United with the expectations that we have is something that Michael will relish." He had just begun to talk to other Clubs when out of the blue Sir Alex phoned him on Wednesday afternoon, invited him to have breakfast with him next morning during which he told him that he wanted to sign Owen. He agreed without a moment's thought. The striker spent Friday morning at United's training complex, Carrington, before heading to a south Manchester hospital for more tests. Owen left the hospital just after five o'clock and was understood to be returning to United's Carrington training ground to complete the formalities of the move. The England international had been without a club following the expiry of his contract with Newcastle United and it appeared only Stoke City and Hull City were interested in offering him a contract. United have been searching for a new forward since the departure of Carlos Tevez at the end of his loan deal. They had been linked with the likes of Karim Benzema and David Villa, but now it seems Owen will be arriving to pep up their striking options. Owen hasnt been the same for years!

Ronaldo move to Madrid signed and sealed

2009-06-26T20:30:00.000-07:00

Real Madrid and Manchester United have finalised an agreement for the £80m ($131.6m or €93.9m) transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo to the Spanish club. United confirmed earlier this month they had accepted a world-record bid from the Primera Division side. Real Madrid and Manchester United have signed a final agreement for the transfer of the rights of Cristiano Ronaldo from July 1. The player will be tied to Real Madrid for the next six seasons and will be presented on July 6 at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Portugal superstar came close to joining Madrid last summer before Sir Alex Ferguson convinced him to stay at Old Trafford. Perez, who was responsible for bringing the likes of Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham and Luis Figo to the Bernabeu in his first stint as president, has already taken Brazil star Kaka from AC Milan and Spain international Raul Albiol from Valencia.

Huntelaar to be linked with United

2009-06-25T21:15:00.000-07:00

Klaas Jan Huntelaar is the latest big-name striker to be linked with a move to Manchester United. Given the number of big-money signings at Real Madrid this summer, it would be no surprise if Huntelaar found himself surplus to requirements at the Bernabeu Stadium. And, as any attempt to lure Karim Benzema to Old Trafford looks fraught with difficulty, it is not a shock either that it has been suggested a move for Huntelaar by Sir Alex Ferguson is on the cards. Although he is a key part of the Dutch side that became the first European team to qualify for the World Cup Finals earlier this month, Huntelaar has not appeared to settle in Spain since joining Real in January this year. The 25-year-old former Ajax star scored eight goals in 20 appearances for his new club. However, he was omitted from their Champions League squad in favour of Lassana Diarra and an approach from Ferguson may well pay off.The 25-year-old former Ajax star scored eight goals in 20 appearances for his new club. However, he was omitted from their Champions League squad in favour of Lassana Diarra and an approach from Ferguson may well pay off. Apart from Benzema, who would cost around £30m if he could be prized away from Lyon, Atletico Madrid's Argentina front-man Sergio Aguero appears to feature on United's radar, even though the team-mate of former Old Trafford striker Diego Forlan would cost at least £10m more. United have also been linked with Alex Pato, in the Italian media.

Ronaldo needs time to adapt to Spanish game

2009-06-24T18:31:00.000-07:00

Cristiano Ronaldo says he will need time to adapt to the different style of the Spanish game, but is confident he can quickly match the Real Madrid fans' high expectations as he closes in on a world record £80m move to the Bernabeu. Having reportedly passed a medical over the weekend, the Portuguese star knows that even the FIFA World Player of the Year can struggle to adapt to new surroundings. Football in England is different, it is more physical. No matter how good you are it takes time to adapt to any type of football. I just hope I can get used to it as quickly as possible. Ronaldo is also aware of the weight of expectation that will come with his staggering transfer fee but he insists he is comfortable carrying the burden. Right now he is relaxing with his family to make sure he is fully rested mentally and physically for his arrival to Real Madrid. Ronaldo also expressed hope that the fans he was leaving behind in Manchester would understand and respect his decision to join Madrid.

France striker Cisse set to join Panathinaikos

2009-06-24T18:24:00.000-07:00

France striker Djibril Cisse is set to join Panathinaikos after the Greek club reached an agreement with Marseille. Nothing is signed yet but Cisse is arriving in Athens tomorrow evening for the medical tests and to sign the contract. Cisse, 27, who is from the Ivory Coast, made his name at Auxerre in France before moving to Liverpool in 2004. After three years in the Premiership he joined Marseille, who loaned him to Sunderland where he scored 10 goals in 35 games last season. He has scored nine goals in 37 internationals. He might continue his scores in his new team "Panathinaikos."

Pato is Happy at MIlan

2009-06-24T18:09:00.000-07:00

AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato insists he will remain at the San Siro as long as the club want him, despite reported interested from Chelsea and former coach Carlo Ancelotti. The 19-year-old, who is under contract at Milan until 2012, claims he will not be following Ancelotti to the Premier League club. Last season Pato played 36 Serie A games netting an impressive 15 goals and setting up a further five. If the Brazilian does decide against a move to Chelsea it would represent another transfer setback for the London club who have struggled to attract fresh talent this summer.

Milan will consider offers for Pirlo

2009-06-22T01:38:00.000-07:00

AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi has said he will consider offers for Andrea Pirlo after being stunned by the size of the Italy midfielder's salary. Berlusconi had previously said no more big names would leave the San Siro after they sold Brazil playmaker Kaka to Real Madrid for £56m earlier this month but the Rossoneri chief has had a change of heart. Chelsea are leading the race to sign the 30-year-old, who is thought to earn almost £6m a season, with former Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti keen to be reunited with the World Cup winner at Stamford Bridge. Pirlo has a contract that runs through to 2012 and Milan are reportedly asking for £20m to part with the midfielder.

Ronaldo wanted out last Summer

2009-06-20T23:19:00.000-07:00

Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted he made up his mind to leave Manchester United last summer. The Portugal winger looks set to seal an £80 million move to Real Madrid after United accepted a world record bid from the Spanish giants. Madrid conducted a long and public pursuit of Ronaldo last year but it proved ultimately unsuccessful as the 24-year-old remained at Old Trafford. But despite staying in the Barclays Premier League, and helping United retain their title, Ronaldo claims he made up his mind to leave after the Champions League triumph over Chelsea a year ago. The fact Madrid have not won the Champions League since 2002 - and are currently comfortably only the second best team in Spain behind Barcelona - has led some critics to claim Ronaldo is more interested in money than medals.

Tevez is confirmed LEAVING

2009-06-20T22:46:00.000-07:00

Manchester United confirmed that Tevez will leave the team despite being offering a deal which would have made him one of the highest paid players at Old Trafford. United chief executive David Gill spoke with Tevez's advisor Kia Joorabchian, with the aim of keeping the popular Argentina star. Despite the lucrative five-year contract offer, the Argentina star decided to move on. The club agreed to pay the option price of £25.5m and offered Carlos a five year contract which would have made him one of its highest paid players. Tevez is certainly not short of options, with new Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti keen to lure the former Boca Juniors star to Stamford Bridge. Yet Manchester City are the favourites to confirm Tevez's capture, having made Joorabchian an offer said to be well in excess of United's.

Ancelotti wants tevez

2009-06-19T09:20:00.000-07:00

Chelsea have made a late bid to sign Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez. Tevez, frustrated at limited playing opportunities at the Premier league Champions, was all set to go to Manchester City. However, Chelsea's new manager Carlo Ancelotti personally intervened at the last minute. Tevez is available for Euro $25 million when his loan deal at United finishes at the end of this month.

Real Madrid Wants The Best of The Best

2009-06-14T09:08:00.000-07:00

Real Madrid just don't seem to mind the ongoing world recession. Already having spent millions in buying Ronaldo and Kaka, they are now looking to possibly have the best ever midfield in modern times. With interest in signing up David Villa and David Silva, a new name has sprung up from nowhere. It is none other than Bayern Munich and French international Franck Ribery. The advisor to the Real Madrid team, legend Zinedine Zidane has advised manager Perez to buy up Ribery and really strengthen up Real's side. The team have still not confirmed any transfer but with Perez not scared to spend millions, it does look like we will see the French star in Real's whites soon. Just imagine Villa, Silva and Ribery making awesome passes among themselves and crossing over to Ronaldo and Kaka to finish off. The other Spanish and European teams must be pissing their pants right now.