Ferdinard welcomes De Gea

Rio Ferdinand has expressed his enthusiasm for the signing of Atletico Madrid keeper David de Gea.

The Reds defender has used his Twitter page to offer his support for the man who is set to play behind him next season following Edwin van der Sar's retirement.

The 20 year-old Spaniard's style has already caught the eye of the United centre-back.

Ferdinand tweeted today, "David de Gea welcome bro! Another quality young player signed, Manchester United have had a nice bit of movement in this transfer window.

"De Gea has got nice feet too. I love that in a keeper...sweeper."

Striker Michael Owen added: "I'm sure he will be a massive success."

De Gea signs for United

De Gea profile

Born: 7 Nov 1990
Nationality: Spanish
Position: Goalkeeper
 
HonoursAtlético Madrid
UEFA Europa League: 2010
UEFA Super Cup: 2010

Spain U17                
UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship: 2007
FIFA U-17 World Cup Runner-up: 2007

Spain U21         
UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship: 2011

United have confirmed a third new signing of the summer after reaching agreement with Atlético Madrid for the transfer of David de Gea.

The 20-year-old goalkeeper passed a medical this week and has agreed a five-year deal with the club.
“I feel very proud and I can’t wait to start playing here,” said De Gea in an exclusive interview with MUTV, to be shown on the channel at 18:30 BST today.

“When a club the size of Manchester United comes in for you it obviously makes you very, very happy.
"I saw their interest as an extra motivation to work even harder to show off my ability.

"It’s a great privilege to be part of a club like United and I'm keen to do my best and show what I can do.”
De Gea follows Phil Jones and Ashley Young in signing for the Reds and will join up with his new team-mates next month.

The young stopper, who was part of Spain’s victorious squad at the UEFA European Under-21 Championships last weekend, came through the ranks at Atlético before making his senior debut as an 18-year-old in the Champions League clash with FC Porto in September 2009.

He helped Atlético win the Europa League later that season and the 2010 UEFA Super Cup, and occupied the No.1 spot on a regular basis last season.

More Manchester United Gossip

Sky Sports News has just brought us some transfer news "to get the pulses racing" (their words, not mine). Their shoutiest presenter has claimed that Manchester City are closing in on a deal worth £20million to sign Samir Nasri, the Arsenal midfielder who's been continuously linked with United and in What The Papers Say. Our 'noisy neighbours' have been quiet in the transfer market so far this summer - is this all about to change? Let's see what tomorrow, 1 July - the date when players can officially begin to move clubs - brings us.

The Manchester United Gossip

Latest rumours

Arriving
David De Gea (undisclosed, Atletico Madrid)
Samir Nasri (£20m, Arsenal)
Thiago Alcantara (£18m, Barcelona)
Pierluigi Gollini (not stated, Fiorentina)
Lassana Diarra (not stated, Real Madrid)

Running Total: 57 players, £865m
 
Leaving
Dimitar Berbatov (£14m, Valencia)

Running Total: 25 players, £64m

Papers: Reds eye Thiago

United's shock bid for Spain and Barca hero
Sir Alex Ferguson has made a £15million offer for Barcelona youngster Thiago Alcantara. The Manchester United boss wants the star of Spain’s European Championship Under-21 side in an outright cash deal – but Barca are reluctant to sell to a Champions League rival. United’s offer is bigger than any other interested club and Fergie made his move before Thiago’s stunning 45-yard free-kick strike in the Euro final at the weekend. Barca would like to farm the midfield prodigy out to a Premier League club, but want a buy-back clause, which United will not agree to. Thiago is unlikely to play often for Barca next season, a problem that is troubling coach Pep Guardiola who does not want to lose him long-term. The 20-year-old would be ideal to replace Paul Scholes at United but Barca are desperate to see him go somewhere else. Fergie cannot even get between the player and the club to win the day – his agent is Guardiola’s brother Pere. Barca would put Thiago in the Cesc Fabregas deal with Arsenal if they can have a recall on him – a plan that’s not much use to the Gunners as the talks for their skipper drag on. Bizarrely Bolton Wanderers, who have been on Thiago’s trail for over a year, may have a chance as they are prepared to take him on Barca’s terms.

The Mirror also features quotes from Sir Alex's interview with the League Managers' Association. The boss explains how it hurts to get rid of loyal players but says he can't afford to be sentimental in his role as United boss.

Manchester United signs Ashley Young

Ashley Young is the second confirmed new arrival at United this summer, after Phil Jones agreed a move from Blackburn Rovers earlier this month.
A club statement on Thursday afternoon read: “Manchester United is delighted to announce it has reached agreement with Aston Villa for the transfer of Ashley Young. The player passed a medical in Manchester and has agreed a five-year contract.”

Young made 193 appearances and scored 39 times for Aston Villa after joining them from Watford in January 2007. The 25 year-old winger or second striker is renowned as a chief creator of goals - in the last five Premier League seasons, only Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas provided more assists for his team-mates.

In an exclusive interview with MUTV, Young admitted he will miss the "fantastic" fans and staff at Villa Park but explained "the opportunity to come and play for one of the biggest clubs in the world is one I couldn't turn down.

"It's a chance to... hopefully become part of the history by helping to win the 20th title."
Reds defender Rio Ferdinand welcomed the deal on Twitter, hailing his England team-mate as "another top, hungry and young player".

Reservoir Engineering vs Drilling Engineering discipline

Hello Petroleum Engineers and the likes out there. I need your suggestions on what has been pondering me for sometimes now. It is related to the aforementioned topic stated above.

Which do you think is more favourable (quick way into the E & P Industry with the conventional benefits) to study?

I have noticed an increasing trend in the recruitment of drilling engineers all over the world and a constant or rather decreasing trend for jobs relating to reservoir engineering/management. Is it right for me to assume that the reason for these can be attributed to the use of supercomputers and reservoir simulation workstations which might have completely replaced the main tasks of a reservoir engineer while more potent expertise of a drilling engineer is needed on oilfield sites as there are yet no robots to replace them as at now? Your take on this will be highly appreciated.

Papers: Wesley Sneijder war heats up

£30m Wesley Sneijder War
Roberto Mancini is set to go head-to-head with bitter rival Sir Alex Ferguson in a £30m battle to land Inter Milan star Wesley Sneijder. Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has put Wesley Sneijder top of his wanted list after failing to land Alexis Sanchez from Udinese. Manchester United have also held talks with Sanchez but the Chilean wonderkid has made it clear he prefers a move to Barcelona instead. Now Starsport understands Mancini’s growing frustration has made him turn his attentions to Sneijder, 27. The Italian has sounded out former club Inter Milan about what it would cost to lure Sneijder to Eastlands. The news will be a big blow to United boss Fergie, who has been tracking Sneijder for six months, having earmarked the Holland midfielder as the perfect replacement for Paul Scholes. But the Scot knows he won’t be able to compete on financial terms with his billionaire neighbours, with Sneijder demanding wages of £200,000 a week. It is the third time this summer Mancini and Fergie have been scrapping for the same player. Sanchez has held talks with both Manchester clubs while Tottenham’s Luka Modric is also a target but Chelsea remain favourites to land the Croatian star.

Jeremy Cross, Daily Star
In other news, the Daily Mail reckon Paris St Germain are ready to offer £11m for Dimitar Berbatov. The paper also features quotes from Lens president Gervais Martel who says he has rejected bids of over £8.9million for United target Raphael Varane. The paper claims both the Reds and Real Madrid are Varane.

Meanwhile, United keeper Ben Amos is wanted on loan by Paul Dickov's Oldham, according to the Mail.

VIDEO: WATCH D'BANJ SIGN CONTRACT WITH KANYE'S GOOD MUSIC!

You've got to give it to our Naija Boyz!  They know how to make things happen! Watched this video of D'banj signing his contract with Kanye West's G.O.O.D Music and I couldn't help laughing! A very proud moment for the music industry and Nigeria in general! (See video below)

Love how Kanye was enjoying D'banj's music and how D'banj (not intimidated at all) is busy shouting 'Ooshe! around the room! Then did you notice the music, 'Scapegoat' playing in the backgrond? Hmm.... symbolic don't you think? Message to Genevieve; Whether rumoured or not, 'Dont leave this man (D'banj!) Hahaha! Enjoy!

Modric not for sale 'at any price'

The 25-year-old has said he wants to leave for Chelsea but will not present a formal transfer request.

Speculation has been rife concerning the Croatia international, with rivals Manchester City and Manchester United reportedly joining the Blues in their pursuit of the player.

It is managerless Chelsea, believed to have already tabled an unsuccessful £22m offer, who appear to offer Modric the most attractive option as he would prefer to remain in the capital.


However, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy said in a statement: "I wish to make it absolutely clear, as I have said previously, that none of our key players will be sold this summer. We are building a team for the future to consistently play at the highest level and retaining quality players is crucial to that.

"In respect of Luka Modric, we are not prepared to sell, at any price, to Chelsea Football Club or any other club.

"We made our stance on this issue abundantly clear in writing to Chelsea. They chose to ignore it and then subsequently made the offer public.

"For the avoidance of any doubt, let me reiterate that we shall not enter into any negotiations whatsoever, with any club, regarding Luka. We now consider this matter closed."

Torres: My worst season ever

The Spain international made a shock £50m switch to Stamford Bridge from Liverpool in January but did not have a great start to his career in West London.

Torres only managed one goal for the Blues and struggled to strike up an understanding with fellow forward Didier Drogba.

Even his opening months of the season with Liverpool were well below his prolific best, with the rigours of the World Cup taking their toll.


"For me the past season was the worst since I arrived in England," Torres admitted.

"The injury I sustained at the end the World Cup damaged my performance and made things more complicated than at any time in my career.

"Twelve goals in all in a season is nothing for me. Never during the season did I play to 100 per cent, neither for Liverpool or Chelsea.

"So I prefer to forget what happened. But I am not sorry I signed for Chelsea. I am convinced that when the Chelsea machine is at its full rhythm we will be very difficult to beat."

And Torres remains confident that with the benefit of a full pre-season alongside Drogba, the Blues will have a strike-force to be reckoned with in the coming campaign.

He added: "I do not have problems with Drogba. Sincerely, I am very connected with Didier. He is a sensational footballer and our possible rivalry is positive for Chelsea.

"I see many goals coming and that will give us significant success. Manchester United are the champions but I insist that we are the main candidates to take their title. The only thing I desire now are victories with Chelsea."

Football transfer rumours: Samuel Eto'o to Manchester City?

Where would the rumours industry be without its summer blockbusters? With the much-loved Cesc ♥ Barça franchise struggling at the box office ("last summer we offered €40m for Fábregas ... now he's worth less"), it's with a glad heart the Mill can report that a recent new release has caught the gossip-mongering public's imagination.

With his slender complexion, twinkling toes and long, shiny hair, Luka Modric is the star who everyone wants to be seen around town with. Even though the Sun carries an exclusive "hands off" warning from Spurs manager Harry Redknapp – with some quotes that look remarkably similar to the ones published by most other organs – Modric's agent, it appears, has been calling at all the major studios to listen to offers.
Chelsea, whose eye was caught by Modric's supporting role in Tottenham's Big (Cup) Day Out, initially headed the queue but Manchester United are now willing to throw in moody bit-part player Dimitar Berbatov as well as £18m. Inevitably, Manchester City also want a piece of the lights! camera! action! and are lining up a £30m bid plus his own star on the Eastlands Walk of Fame.

City are also being linked to every major European footballer with an agent Samuel Eto'o after the Inter striker filed a "come and get me" plea with the relevant authorities. "I have many offers and I now have a month to think about what I have to do," said Eto'o. "At 30, the next contract will be my last big one and so I have to decide if I want stay at Inter or not." Unusually, it's not all about the Benjamins for Samuel. "If it is about 200 or 300 thousand that will not make a difference to me," he said, generously offering to accept a figure somewhere in between. "Playing in England is an idea I have had in my head for some time and now what matters to me is finding a good team."

The fate of Udinese's Alexis Sánchez continues to set tongues a-wagging/eyelids a-drooping, with Chelsea joining the Manchesters City and United in the mud-wrestling pit. However, while that interesting threesome is caught up grappling with each other, one of Barcelona, Inter or Juventus is likely to run off with the £32m Chilean tucked under an arm.

Back in north London, and in defiance of the apparent one-way traffic sign, Tottenham and Arsenal are eyeing minor sops to appease the fans after Modric and Fábregas do one. Spurs want Chivas's 18-year-old Erick Torres, known to the Mill as the "Little Runner Bean", and having got a taste for Mexican they would also like to bring in the exotically named Antonio Pedroza Whitham from Jaguares, via his mum's house in Chester, for £400,000.

Arsenal plan to restock their nutrient-rich growth tank with 17-year-old "German whizkid" Samed Yesil, the Bayer Leverkusen striker who won the Golden Boot at this year's Euro Under-17 Championship – which, to be fair, is more than Arsenal have won recently. Arsène Wenger has also hatched a cunning plan to offload Denílson by offering him to Shakhtar Donetsk in part-exchange for Douglas Costa. Not that Shakhtar are falling for it.

Adel Taarabt is keen on a move, either to Arsenal or Chelsea, and doesn't mind a accepting a diminished workload in order to get it. "If one of these sides can guarantee me 20 games a season, then I would be very tempted to join them," he yawned.

Up on Merseyside, Liverpool are set to bring in Sylvain Marveaux from Rennes – a story which again seemed to test the Sun's understanding of the word "exclusive" – and then return to their task of snapping up vastly overpriced English players by punching as many random numbers into a calculator as it takes for Aston Villa to release Stewart Downing's registration. Everton, the inspiration behind Liverpool's new third kit, are meanwhile duking it out with Swansea and Norwich for Craig Mackail-Smith.

And in today's shorts: Demba Ba will be the best-selling name on the shirts of thrifty Geordies next season after rocking up at Newcastle for a similarly bargain zero pounds. West Brom want Getafe midfielder Derek Boateng and Shay Given on loan from Manchester City. Keiren Westwood is set to join Sunderland on a free; while Marcos Senna's agent is again flirting shamelessly with Swansea. Stoke want Birmingham's Scott Dann for £12m – we're assuming someone missed out a decimal point there – before Alex McLeish can smuggle him over the battlements to Aston Villa. And Bursaspor are chasing Rangers' Steven Whitaker.

Finally, the Spanish press has apparently labelled Tottenham and England Under-21 right-back Kyle Walker the "new Roberto Carlos" – in this case, for one swerving free-kick in a meaningless tournament, read one swerving run in a meaningless, etc ...

Bible sermon translation in Warri crusade

Rev. Reinhard Bonke came to Okuokoko village in Delta State for a convention. He climbed on the podium and started preaching the gospel. Barely 10 minutes had he started that he noticed that the congregation were grumbling and leaving. He called on the nearest man (akpomiemie) and asked why they were leaving and Akpomiemie answered "sir, they no understand your big English, Reinhard Bonke thought for a moment and then asked Akpomiemie for assistance. This is what ensued:

Reinhard Bonke: "As it was in the bible"
Akpomiemie: "As dem yarn for the bible side"
Reinhard Bonke: "Jesus entered the boat with his disciples"
Akpomiemie: "Naim Jesus fall in the canoe with him pallies"
Reinhard Bonke: "As the boat was sailing there was a great storm"
Akpomiemie: " As the canoe dey remove naim yawa come gas"
Reinhard Bonke: " the storm was so great that it was like a whirl wind"
Akpomiemie: "the yawa na die so tay kasala burst enter"
Reinhard Bonke: " the disciples were now afraid and they shouted master master"
Akpomiemie: "naim liver drop him pallies, dem begin hala bros bros"
Reinhard Bonke: " Jesus got up and calm down the wind"
Akpomiemie: "Naim Jesus rise and arrange the yawa"
Reinhard Bonke: " He turned to his disciples and said, you are men of little faith"
Akpomiemie: Na so Jesus look him pallies, shake him head and say UNA FALL MY HAND"

Evra pledges to regain top form

United defender Patrice Evra says he needs to “do much better next season” and believes he will, with the benefit of a full pre-season behind him.

Evra endured a tough summer in 2010 as France faced problems both on and off the pitch at the World Cup in South Africa. The left-back didn’t travel to the USA with his United team-mates last July and he feels his season suffered as a result.

“Next season I think I should give more because this wasn’t my best season,” he told Inside United in an exclusive interview.

"I can say that, I can be honest with myself. I missed pre-season and only had a week’s training before I played my first game. People forget that.

“Some of the other players had about five weeks to work on their fitness and play some friendly games. And although I trained during my holiday having only one week’s training meant it was difficult at the beginning of the season. In the middle and towards the end I felt back to my best but I need to do much better next season.”

Patrice won’t suffer the same fate this year. With no international tournaments, the Frenchman should get almost a month off (he’ll begin his holiday after France face Poland in Gdansk on 9 June) before joining his team-mates at Carrington in early July and flying to the USA for the Reds’ pre-season tour.

In America, United will play five matches – three against MLS opposition, one against an MLS All-Star side and one against Barcelona – and undergo intense training sessions in preparation for the 2011/12 campaign.
In addition to his vow to perform better next term, Patrice also wants to chip in with more goals. So far, in 245 appearances, he’s netted just three times for the Reds.

“I should score more goals,” he said. “A perfect season for me would be to score five goals. I know I have the quality and the potential to achieve that.

“People know I can create goals, but I need to score more.”

Papers: Sanchez favours United

Phil Thomas writes in The Sun...
San's the man for £30millionManchester United will have to splash £30million to prise winger Alexis Sanchez from Udinese. United were hoping to land the Chile golden boy, 22, for £5m less - but the Italians are refusing to lower their asking price. Sanchez prefers a link-up with Alex Ferguson ahead of Barcelona, as he knows he would spend as much time on the bench as the Nou Camp pitch. His agent, Fernando Felicevich, has met bosses at the Spanish giants to discuss personal terms but NO deal is in place. And there is a belief at United, who have also held extensive talks, that it is a ploy by Udinese to push up Sanchez's price.

The same paper claims Aston Villa will permit United to complete a £16m move for Ashley Young - who's getting married this weekend - and says Spurs boss Harry Redknapp values Luka Modric at more than the £20m the Reds would reportedly pay. Meanwhile The Times quotes the player's adviser Mario Mamic ruling out a move.

The Daily Star suggests Sir Alex Ferguson will have to wait to sign David de Gea as the Atletico Madrid keeper is keen to focus on the UEFA Under-21 Championships with Spain. The Daily Express says Gabriel Obertan and Wes Brown could move to Southampton as part of a deal to bring in 17 year-old winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The Sun attributes the following quotes to Chicharito, regarding his loyalty to United amid reports of interest from Real Madrid. "From now on I'll owe a great debt to Sir Alex for bringing me to Europe. I want to win many titles to give back to the team that opened the doors for me."

Reds stars on track for 2012

A number of United players remain on track for Euro 2012, after helping their national teams to claim or consolidate top spots in their qualifying groups.

Portugal's 1-0 home win over Norway was a vital one - it enabled Nani's side to match their opponents on 10 points and go top of Group H. Sporting Lisbon striker Helder Postiga scored the decisive goal shortly after half-time in Lisbon, where Nani played 86 minutes before being replaced by Silvestre Varela. The Portuguese have three qualifiers to complete in the autumn - the final one, in Copenhagen on 11 October, currently has the makings of a play-off as Denmark also have 10 points and lie second after winning 2-0 in Iceland on Saturday night.

Republic of Ireland are in a similar position; points-wise they are also in a three-way tie at the top of Group B, with Russia and Slovakia. All three sides won on Saturday, with United's John O'Shea helping the Irish to beat Macedonia 2-0 away. Robbie Keane's 50th and 51st goals for his country, both scored in the first half, were enough to clinch an impressive victory. O'Shea played the full 90 minutes in Skopje and was relieved when a penalty he conceded shortly before the break was missed by Ivan Trickovski.

England retained pole position in Group G but only just. Rio Ferdinand and co were trailing 0-2 to Switzerland at Wembley following a quick-fire double by Tranquillo Barnetta, but Frank Lampard's penalty halved the arrears for the interval and then Ashley Young equalised just six minutes after coming on as a half-time substitute for England's first scorer.

Fabio Capello's men now have the same number of points as Montenegro who were also held at home, 1-1 by Bulgaria.

Patrice Evra was an unused sub in Minsk where clear Group D leaders France were held 1-1 by Belarus. Both goals came around the midway point in the first half; the hosts took the lead through an own goal by Barcelona defender Eric Abidal but they were only in front for two minutes until Chelsea winger Florent Malouda equalised.

Three young Reds were on international duty on Sunday afternoon, as England's Under-21s warmed up for this month's European Championships by beating Norway 2-0 at St Mary's, home of Southampton. Chris Smalling played the full match, while Danny Welbeck came off at half-time to be replaced by United team-mate Tom Cleverley. All three are hoping to feature when England play their first match in the Denmark-hosted tournament against Spain next Sunday.

Global talent spotting

The domestic season may have finished but there's still plenty of international football to keep us occupied this weekend.

With thoughts inevitably drifting towards summer reinforcements, amidst the now traditional flood of transfer speculation, several reported Reds targets will be on show.

The Toulon tournament has already started and the upcoming Under-21 European Championship finals will allow promising youngsters to strut their stuff. Meanwhile, the Concacaf Gold Cup, featuring our very own Javier Hernandez, and Copa America will also soon get underway with more established stars in the spotlight.

There's also plenty of European qualifiers worth watching including Rio Ferdinand's England entertaining Switzerland at Wembley. Word has it from the Swiss camp that Ottmar Hitzfeld is considering throwing 18-year-old midfielder Granit Xhaka into the fray while the hosts look certain to start with Ashley Young, who has been strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford.

However, the action gets underway on Friday night with Spurs schemer Luka Modric in the Croatia team that faces Georgia while Samir Nasri, also rumoured to be of interest to Sir Alex, lines up for France in Belarus.

Belgium's up-and-coming talents go on view against Turkey, including Lille starlet Eden Hazard, with scouts from a number of clubs likely to be in attendance.

Moving back to Saturday and Brazil's friendly with Holland looks a mouthwatering fixture - and not just because Anderson could get another run-out in the famous yellow shirt. Forwards Neymar and Leandro Damiao have been linked with United recently and keeper Julio Cesar was also forwarded as a possible replacement for Edwin van der Sar. There's no Wesley Sneijder, Cesar's Inter Milan team-mate, due to injury.

With plenty of tournament football to follow, new names will be thrown into the mix on virtually a daily basis and I will keep you updated in our popular summer feature.

The Gossip returns

Goodbye, football season. Hello, silly season. The Gossip is back.

What better way to spend the summer than by charting every single transfer whisper in this increasingly rumour-riddled world of football?

David Gill has already admitted that this summer is likely to be “busier than usual”, and the recent departures of Paul Scholes, Edwin van der Sar, Owen Hargreaves and Gary Neville yield a pressing need to strengthen the Reds’ ranks.

Sir Alex openly admits he wants to bring in Atletico Madrid goalkeeper David De Gea, and scores more players have been linked in recent days and weeks. As of tomorrow we’ll be charting each new rumour and totting up United’s purported activity in terms of comings and goings.

Last year’s Gossip highlighted the scale of tittle-tattle around United. In all, 106 players were tipped to join the Reds, at a combined cost of £1.877billion. None of them did.

This year looks likely to be different. There will be bunkum, hogwash, twaddle, baloney and, on occasion, complete codswallop, but there will also be gleaming nuggets of truth and excitement. It's the perfect way to follow what looks set to be one of the most intriguing transfer windows of recent years.

Wazza: We'll all miss Scholes

Wayne Rooney admits he will miss playing alongside Paul Scholes.

The midfielder has decided to hang up his boots and is rightly being lauded as one of the best footballers of his generation.

Rooney will have learned plenty from the 36-year-old and it's encouraging that Scholes is staying at Old Trafford in a coaching capacity to help pass on his experience to the promising midfielders coming through the ranks.

"He’ll be missed greatly," said Rooney. "I just heard the news this morning. We knew he’d make a decision but didn’t think it would be this quick. We’re all sad to see him stop playing. He’s been great for United and England and he’ll be missed by all of us.

"He hasn't started that many games of late and I'm sure that’s come into his head and he's made his decision.
"But he’ll be a big miss for us. He’s the best I’ve played with and against. He’s only small but it’s so difficult to get the ball off him. Every United fan will miss him."

Paul Scholes retires - but stays at OT

Paul Scholes has decided it is time for him to hang up his boots and retire from playing football.
Paul was part of the new wave of talent that came through to United's first team during the mid-90's. He scored twice on his debut in the League Cup at Port Vale in the 1994/95 season and since then has enjoyed a long a successful career, making an incredible 676 appearances for the Reds.

Paul will take on a coaching role with United from the start of next season. Fans will also have the opportunity to see Paul play again at Old Trafford in his testimonial match in August.

Sir Alex Ferguson said: "What more can I say about Paul Scholes that I haven't said before. We are going to miss a truly unbelievable player. Paul has always been fully committed to this club and I am delighted he will be joining the coaching staff from next season. Paul has always been inspirational to players of all ages and we know that will continue in his new role."

Paul Scholes said: "I am not a man of many words but I can honestly say that playing football is all I have ever wanted to do and to have had such a long and successful career at Manchester United has been a real honour. This was not a decision that I have taken lightly but I feel now is the right time for me to stop playing. To have been part of the team that helped the club reach that 19th title is a great privilege.

"I would like to thank the fans for their tremendous support throughout my career, I would also like to thank all the coaches and players that I have worked with over the years, but most of all I would like to thank Sir Alex for being such a great manager, from the day I joined the club his door has always been open and I know this team will go on to win many more trophies under his leadership."

David Gill said: "It is very sad day for Manchester United fans around the world. We all know that Paul was one of the players that came through the ranks of the academy system in the 1990's and has established himself as one of the greatest players to ever wear the United shirt. It is very important that the club keeps its association with these great players and we are delighted that Paul will join the coaching staff."