Fergie: Ryan Giggs will be offered new deal

Ryan Giggs and Sir Alex Ferguson: Together at Old Trafford for 21 years

Sir Alex Ferguson says Manchester United stalwart Ryan Giggs will be offered the chance to prolong his Old Trafford career and play his 23rd top-flight season with the Red Devils.

Giggs, 38, is United's all-time leading appearance maker having played almost 900 times for the club since making his debut in 1990.

The Welshman has been on a rolling contract since the age of 30 but despite Giggs' former team-mates Gary Neville and Paul Scholes retiring last season, Ferguson believes his veteran midfielder can go on for another year.

"I think Ryan can play another year,'' Ferguson said. "There is no evidence at this moment in time that his energy, stamina or speed are decreasing. In fact, it's exactly the same as it was the last two or three years. It's amazing.

"I know it's mid-season now and it all depends on what Ryan thinks about his future, too. He knows he can't go on forever, we know he can't go on forever, but he can play for another year.''

Meanwhile, Ferguson has backed Michael Carrick, Giggs' central midfield partner in last Wednesday's 5-0 win at Fulham, to step up and become United's most integral player after some excellent displays in recent weeks.

"Michael's been one of our best players over the past few weeks,'' Ferguson said. "He's been instrumental in what's happening to the team at the moment. He's grabbed the nettle.

"In some ways, he's maybe seen the departure of Paul Scholes as his opportunity to be the main man in midfield. It's time Michael became the pivotal player of our team. We've always known he's got that in him.

"He's a laid-back character - quiet and unassuming - but in different periods during his time here he's shown his quality. Now is the time for him to start a long period of dominating the centre of midfield like he has in the last few weeks.''

*Taken from Soccernet.com

Utd must wait for Ricky Van Wolfswinkel

Sporting Lisbon forward Ricky van Wolfswinkel says he is flattered to have attracted interest from both Manchester United and Chelsea, but his agent insists no transfer will be agreed in January.

Van Wolfswinkel has been scouted by staff from Old Trafford in recent months, as the club identify potential attacking reinforcements.

The 22-year-old Netherlands international only moved to Portugal from Utrecht in the summer, but United have good links with Sporting - after agreeing deals for both Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani in recent seasons - and could use that to their advantage in negotiations.

Van Wolfswinkel is just happy that interest from big clubs shows he is doing the right things on the pitch.

"It is good that my name was linked to big clubs such as Manchester United and others in England, but I am really content and happy at Sporting," Van Wolfswinkel told radio station NOS. "Things are excellent in every sense. I play for a good club and I am scoring goals because I am taking this satisfaction on to the pitch."

His agent, Louis Laros, confirmed Premier League clubs have studied his client this season but does not see Van Wolfswinkel moving until the summer at the earliest.

"Chelsea and Manchester United have watched Ricky, like other young footballers in Europe, but I do not expect a possible deal in the January market," Laros said. "Nobody has spoken to me directly and Sporting are not interested in a deal at the moment. However, in the world of football, it is impossible to say never about a sale."

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson revealed last week that he is unlikely to spend in the next transfer window, saying he has "two or three" targets in mind but none is available so "there is no point even going there".

*Taken from Soccernet.com
*For Ricky Van Wolfswinkel's biodata, click here.

Ferguson to keep Berbatov

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed Manchester United are likely to activate a clause in Dimitar Berbatov's contract that will keep him at Old Trafford for another year.

Berbatov, a £30.75 million record signing from Spurs, has found his appearances limited this season as both Javier Hernandez and Daniel Welbeck have forced their way into Ferguson's plans on a regular basis.

This has led to speculation Ferguson may look to unload the 30-year-old during the January transfer window, with Russian side Anzhi looking to pounce. However, the United boss insists that will not happen.

Instead it seems Ferguson is more likely to offer the additional year, which United have the unilateral option to do.

''Dimitar is still in my thoughts,'' said Ferguson. ''I have read some things but there is absolutely no reason for me to let him go. He is an outstanding footballer and we will give the extra year.

''It is unfortunate the form of Javier Hernandez over the last year has been outstanding but he (Berbatov) plays a great role and he trains well. He has no complaints. The boy is a great professional and we are happy for him to be here.

''You need a good number of strikers in the modern day. If you look back to 1999, we had four great strikers. They all played their part. That is exactly what will happen today.''

*Taken from Soccernet.com

Manchester United boosted by financial results

Manchester United's gross debt has been cut to £433.2 million after posting a 16.5% increase in first-quarter turnover to £73.8m.

GettyImagesSir Alex Ferguson's delivery of success on the pitch has boosted Manchester United's financial standing

The Premier League champions reported growth in all areas, with their £40 million deal with training kit sponsors DHL helping the commercial side enjoy a rise of 22.3% to £29.6m.

After winning a record 19th English league title, United's status as top-flight winners saw their media revenues jump from £19.4m to £22.6m. Their domestic success also ensures they receive more of the Champions League pot and land a lucrative five-match tour of the United States.

The club have also been boosted by the news their matchday income has grown 9.6% to £21.6m, which is largely down to the completion of the Old Trafford quadrants. The luxurious facilities, finished in 2006, have finally lead to the first sell-out of seasonal hospitality boxes.

After a campaign that saw them land the title as well as reach the Champions League final, United may struggle to better their annual turnover of £331.4m and profits of £110.9m, particularly if rivals Manchester City maintain their strong start to the season.

The commercial side will be heavily relied upon to yield yet more financial gain, but commercial director Richard Arnold is relaxed about the outlook.

"There is only one Manchester United," he said. "Whilst a lot of the strategy is public knowledge, I am very fortunate to be with the club I am with and able to do these deals.

"A lot of hard work has gone into getting to the position we are in now and we are already looking to the future.

"If people want to recreate what we did five years ago that is up to them. It isn't other clubs that I worry about; it is what we are going to be doing in the future."

*Taken from Soccernet.com

Javier Hernandez signs new five-year deal

Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez has signed a new five-year deal which will keep him at Old Trafford until the end of the 2015-16 season, the club have confirmed.

PA PhotosHernandez celebrates his goal for Manchester United

Hernandez, 23, made a stunning impact after arriving in England last season, with 20 goals in all competitions, and United have responded to both that and recent speculation linking the player with Real Madrid by tying him down to a long-term deal.

Hernandez told the club's official website: ''Playing for Manchester United has been a dream come true for me. I never expected my first year to go so well and I'm delighted to commit my future to United.

''To win a title and appear in a Champions League final was fantastic. I'm looking forward to helping my team-mates as we bid to win more trophies for this great club.''

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson added: ''The last player I remember making an impact as big and as quickly as Javier is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and he reminds me of Ole a lot. His talent for creating space in the box and his finishing ability mark him out as a natural goalscorer.

''Off the pitch, he is a pleasure to manage. He works very hard and is a popular member of the squad.''

Hernandez's agent, Eduardo Hernandez, had confirmed ten days ago that the Mexican international had negotiated a five-year deal, but it took longer for the club to officially announce that he had put pen to paper.

*Taken from Soccernet.com

*For Javier Hernandez biodata, click here.

Tom Cleverley signs new contract

Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley has signed a new contract which will keep him at the club until the summer of 2015.

GettyImagesTom Cleverley: The latest young United star

Cleverley made his first competitive start for the Premier League champions in August's win at West Brom, two days after his 22nd birthday. Such has been the academy graduate's impact, he has already won a call-up to England's senior squad, though he has yet to play for Fabio Capello's side.

The England Under-21 international's football education came in the form of loan spells at Leicester City, where he won the League One title, Watford and Wigan Athletic before being welcomed into the United first-team squad this season.

He is currently out injured with ligament damage to his foot suffered in the 5-0 win at Bolton Wanderers a month ago, but is in contention to return on Saturday in the Premier League clash with rivals Liverpool.

"Tom is one of the brightest prospects in the English game,'' United boss Sir Alex Fergusonsaid. "For a young boy, he has a good footballing brain which, when coupled with his energy and ability, makes for a player with a fine future ahead of him.

"It's the United way to encourage our young players to make their mark in the first team and Tom has grabbed that chance with both hands."

Cleverley said: "It's been a fantastic start to the season for me, breaking into the first team and getting an England call-up. Having grown up at the club, I'd love to be able to make a contribution to United winning more trophies.

"We have a squad with great ability and I can't wait to get started again.''

*Taken from Soccernet.com

*For Tom Cleverly biodata, click here.

Fergie tips Rooney for United's all-time leading scorer record

Sir Alex Ferguson has tipped Wayne Rooney to eclipse Sir Bobby Charlton as Manchester United's all-time leading scorer.

PA PhotosManchester United's Wayne Rooney celebrates after he scores his side's third goal against Chelsea

Rooney scored nine goals in seven games early in the season, before injury halted his run last month and forced him to spend two weeks on the sidelines. But with the striker back in action and on England duty in Montenegro this week, Ferguson raised the prospect of the forward overtaking Charlton at the top of the club's scoring charts.

"I do [think he can eclipse that feat]," Ferguson told Inside United. "He is only 25 years of age, so you'd think he has at least another five years in him at the very top level. And if he looks after himself like Ryan Giggs has done, he could play well into his 30s.

"The opportunity is there and time is on his side. He's raced out of the blocks already this season and I hope he could get up to around the 30 mark."

Rooney is currently ninth on the list, with 156 goals - 93 behind Charlton, who amassed an impressive 247 before his 17-year stint with the club ended in 1973.

*Taken from soccernet.com