Nigeria now second-largest exporter of crude oil

Nigeria, Africa's top oil producer, surpassed Iran as the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries' second-largest exporter in 2010 as security improved in the African nation and as Iran used more crude at home.

Nigeria shipped 2.464Mbbl barrels a day last year, followed by Iran with 2.248Mbbl, according to OPEC's Annual Statistical Bulletin. Iran's refining capacity rose by 18% last year, the biggest gain among OPEC's 12 members.

Energy companies in Nigeria stepped up oil output as militant attacks on installations in the Niger River delta dropped after a government amnesty to fighters in late 2009, the Department of Petroleum Resources said. Nigeria's oil exports rose 46% to 9.15 trillion naira ($59 billion) last year. Attacks by armed groups in the Niger delta region, home to the nation's energy industry, cut more than 28% of oil production from 2006 to 2009.

Iran's crude processing capacity increased to 1.741Mbbl a day, from 1.474Mbbl, as facilities in Abadan, Arak, Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, Lavan and Bandar Abbas were expanded, compared with 2009. In neighboring Iraq, refining capacity declined.

Nigeria shipped 2.16Mbbl a day in 2009 and Iran exported 2.232Mbbl, according to the report. Iran was OPEC's second-biggest producer last year, supplying 3.54Mbbl. Nigeria was the seventh-largest with 2.048Mbbl.

Saudi Arabia, OPEC's biggest member, exported 6.644Mbbl a day of crude last year, of which 64% was sent to the Asia and Pacific region. It produced 8.165Mbbl, less than its 2009 output of 8.184Mbbl.

Of OPEc's 12 members, Iraq, Qatar, Algeria, Libya, Angola and Venezuela exported less in 2010 than a year earlier. All those countries except Iraq also produced less in 2010.

OPEC production averaged 29.183Mbbl a day in 2010, an increase of less than 1% of the 28.927Mbbl a day it supplied in 2009.

Sergio Aguero join Manchester city

Sergio Aguero has become Manchester City’s latest signing after the terms of his five-year-contract were completed today.

The 23-year-old Argentinian international striker has moved to the Blues from Atletico Madrid, and is likely to be in the squad for this weekend’s Dublin Super Cup tournament. He will wear the No.16 shirt.

Kenny Dalglish: We won't rush Luis Suarez

Kenny Dalglish today spoke of his delight at seeing Luis Suarez being crowned a Copa America champion - but insisted he won't be rushing the Uruguay striker back into action for Liverpool.

Suarez scored the opening goal in Sunday's final victory over Paraguay to take his overall tally for the tournament to four and claim the competition's 'Most Valuable Player' accolade.

And while Dalglish can't wait to see the forward back on Merseyside after his summer break, he insists the Reds will take every precaution necessary to ensure Suarez begins the season in peak condition.

"It was fantastic what he achieved in the Copa America," the boss told Liverpoolfc.tv. "His performances were top drawer and Uruguay won the tournament, so as well as individual accolades, he's also got the team one which is the most important.

"He continued in the way he left us. He's made a fantastic contribution since he came in in January and I'm sure he'll be looking forward to the start of the season, especially after winning the Copa America.

"We're looking forward to getting him back. He'll have a good break now and hopefully we'll get him back in a couple of weeks, see how he is then and take it from there.

"We won't rush him. It's important players get the rest. It's important that he's ready to compete when he comes back. Because he's been playing deep into July, he's only getting a couple of weeks off but I'm sure it won't take much to get him fit or sharp.

"But we'll see how he is when he comes back and let him enjoy his holiday."

Another Liverpool star involved in the Copa America was Lucas Leiva, though the midfielder's Brazil side didn't enjoy the same kind of success as Uruguay after dropping out of the tournament at the quarter-final stage.

Dalglish added: "Lucas will be in next week. We'll see how he shapes up. Obviously his tournament didn't go as well as Luis's did, but he was fantastic for us last season and we're looking forward to getting him back as well and he should be well rested."

Denilson sent off for Sao Paulo

Coritiba 3-4 Sao Paulo

Denilson was sent off in injury time after seeing Sao Paulo to a 4-3 win over Coritiba on Wednesday night.

In the second game of his loan spell, the Brazilian midfielder helped Adilson Batista’s side race into a 4-0 lead within an hour. But three goals in the final half-hour saw Coritiba pull to within one goal of the visitors.

Denilson was given his marching orders in the closing moments as Sao Paulo moved to second in Serie A.

MLS All-Stars 0 - Manchester United 4

The MLS All-Stars may be the best soccer players in America, but they were no match for Sir Alex's Manchester United as the Reds made it four wins from four on this year's US Tour.

In a compact and cacophonous Red Bull Arena, goals from Anderson, Ji-sung Park, Dimitar Berbatov handed United victory against an MLS side featuring former Premier League stars David Beckham and Thierry Henry.

Few would have believed it a year ago, but Javier Hernandez's star now shines almost as brightly as Beckham's or Henry's in the United States. Hernandez-mania is in full effect: his name adorns more United shirts than any other player's and even non-football fans recognise his boyish, smiling face.

And although he was never likely to play on tour after competing in the Gold Cup for Mexico in June, supporters at Red Bull Arena were left disappointed after a concussion suffered during training on Tuesday night forced him to spend a night in hospital and watch the game from the comfort of the team's New Jersey hotel.

The contest Chicharito saw unfold on Wednesday evening was entertaining and often end-to-end. Indeed, despite the final score, the All-Stars created chances of their own, including the first chance of the game when Henry dispossessed Rio Ferdinand near the halfway line before squaring to Omar Bravo in the centre. Bravo advanced towards goal and laid the ball back to Beckham, whose shot spun wide of Anders Lindegaard's
right-hand upright.

The former Reds midfielder sat deep for the All-Stars, pinging long passes and dictating the early play from just in front of the back four. But as the home team's influence waned, so did Beckham's and in the second half he was moved to right-back.

It took Sir Alex's men 18 minutes to test All-Stars goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon. Rooney advanced into the penalty area and slid a low ball across the six-yard box, which Mondragon plucked from the toes of Berbatov.

Both Rooney and Berbatov were heavily involved two minutes later when United took the lead. The pair exchanged three neat passes on the edge of the box to pull the All-Stars defence out of position before Rooney squared for Anderson to side-foot home from 16 yards.

Beckham almost equalised immediately with a curling effort from 30 yards on the counter-attack, which Lindegaard acrobatically tipped over the bar. The Dane then repeated the feat just before the half-hour mark when Brad Davis let fly from similar range, before Rooney drew a smart save from Mondragon when he drove the ball towards the top corner 10 minutes later.

The first-half entertainment wasn't over. With just four seconds left on the clock, Ji-sung Park snaked past two defenders in the penalty area before lashing left-footed past Mondragon into the far corner. It was his second sublime individual goal of the US Tour and drew a wide grin from the South Korean.

Seven minutes after the interval, the Reds were 3-0 up. This time it was Berbatov's turn to showcase his talent, as he dinked the ball over advancing substitute goalkeeper Tally Hall before reacting quickly to control the ball with his chest and volley home when it cannoned back off the crossbar.

Sir Alex made a raft of substitutions on 61 minutes to add to the goalkeeper change he made at half-time (Amos for Lindegaard), replacing five of his front six and bringing on Chris Smalling for Rio Ferdinand.

That had the potential to stunt the game's flow, but Danny Welbeck ensured there was no such lull in action and netted with one of his first touches, rifling home from just outside the penalty area, albeit via the aid of a sizeable deflection off Geoff Cameron.

Goalmouth action did dry up somewhat in the final 20 minutes, although both Beckham and Evra hit the side-netting in the final minutes. By then, though, the crowd had already had their fill. Certainly, after witnessing four goals, many more chances and an array of world football superstars, few went home with any complaints.

United: Lindegaard (Amos 46); Jones, Ferdinand (Smalling 61), Vidic (Diouf 73), Evra; Park (Nani 61), Carrick (Cleverley 61), Anderson (Fabio 73), Young (Welbeck 61); Rooney (Macheda 61), Berbatov (Owen 61)

Red Devils wins game in a 'strange' style

Sir Alex Ferguson described United’s 7-0 pre-season thumping of Seattle Sounders as “a strange game”.

The Reds ran out easy winners, despite the home side starting well and limiting the English league champions to just one goal in the first half.

“I don’t think the scoreline reflected the chances in the match,” Sir Alex said. “In the first half, Sounders had two or three good chances and Anders, our goalkeeper, made two great saves.

“There was nothing really in it in the first half. The killer goal was the second one [Mame Biram Diouf’s] on the counter-attack. It opened up the game for us. Despite that, our young goalkeeper, Ben Amos, had to make three fantastic saves in the second half. The Sounders could have scored a few goals. It was a strange game.”

Wayne Rooney scored a second-half hat-trick – his first goals on the US tour – with Sir Alex admitting it was just reward for the hard work he’s exhibited during training.

“It was nice for Wayne to score three tonight. Three goals is a nice start to the season for Wayne. He’s worked hard and done well in training.

"I’m pleased for him and I’m pleased for all the scorers."

Community Shield update

Manchester United will take on Manchester City at Wembley Stadium in the Community Shield on Sunday 7 August.

The traditional season curtain-raiser, played between the league champions and the FA Cup winners, will kick off at 14:30 BST and be refereed by Phil Dowd.

Tickets will be priced at £20, £25, £35 and £45, with United fans allocated the east end of the ground and Manchester City supporters the west.

Executive Club Members and Season Ticket holders have until 08:00 on Monday 11 July to make an application for this match. The ballot will take place on 11/12 July.

Papers: No to Samir Nasri bid

United's £20m offer for Nasri is rejected by Arsenal

Arsenal have turned down Manchester United's opening offer for Samir Nasri and told the champions they will not sell the Frenchman unless they receive a bid of at least £25m. United must now decide whether they are willing to meet the asking price and put together an improved financial package after it emerged on Wednesday they had placed an offer of just under £20m two weeks ago. The clubs had agreed at the time not to publicise the bid but it is now clear that United, having already spent £50m on Phil Jones, David de Gea and Ashley Young, have made the first decisive move towards bringing Nasri to Old Trafford and reinforcing their position as the major force in the summer transfer market so far.

Daniel Taylor, The Guardian
A number of the papers claim Wes Brown has had a medical at Sunderland and is near to completing a move to the North East. The Daily Mail reckon Steve Bruce will complete a triple swoop for Brown, John O'Shea and Darron Gibson.

The papers also feature quotes from United first team coach Rene Meulensteen who says Wesley Sneijder would be ‘ideal’ for the Reds.

Manchester nited Latest rumours

Arriving
Lassana Diarra (£17.5m, Talksport)
Souleymane Coulibaly (not stated, SSI)
Wesley Sneijder (£35million, Talksport)
Samir Nasri (£25million, Guardian)

Running Total: 65 players, £947m
Leaving
Wes Brown (not stated, Sunderland)
John O'Shea (not stated, Sunderland)
Darron Gibson (not stated, Sunderland)

Running Total: 25 players, £64.3m

Pair are the perfect pro's

Dependable, loyal players don't often hit the headlines in these days of flashy foreign imports and agent-driven transfer-seeking stories.

Wes Brown and John O'Shea will receive their share of column inches in the newspapers but not as much as the sagas dragging out on the back pages with fans eagerly anticipating the next big name to be linked with United and the other top clubs.

But all those at Old Trafford truly recognise the contribution of the two defenders to the sustained success under Sir Alex Ferguson and their willingness to accept the squad system that has reaped dividends over the years. There was an understanding of the bigger picture and the need to put the team first which allows the boss to pull off the balancing act of challenging for trophies on all fronts.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't recall 'tabloid blasts' from either of the pair when they have been left out of big matches or failed to hold down a regular place in the side. It must have hurt Brown, in particular, when he was used so sparingly last term due largely to the emergence of Chris Smalling and development of the twins, but he didn't whinge about it.

Indeed, handed a start against Crawley in the FA Cup as captain in February, his first since mid-November, Wes responded by scoring the winning goal. O'Shea was also handed the armband for the Champions League semi-final second leg slaughter of Schalke and described it as the highlight of his season.

The loyal pair deserve fond farewells from the United fans. Some critics on message boards and social networks may have complained when seeing the names of Brown and O'Shea on the team-sheet but these people fail to appreciate the value the players provided. When O'Shea anchored a makeshift midfield against Arsenal in the FA Cup, the naysayers were up in arms but he played his part in striking a significant psychological blow to the Gunners.

Yet, in this period of change at the club, my personal thoughts drift further back than last season when recalling the moments that stick with me regarding Sunderland's new signings.

I first watched Brown live in the FA Youth Cup at Watford and remember telling my father afterwards that he and defensive partner John Curtis would 'make it' in Manchester. I can still see in my mind's eye Brown making a mug out of Leeds striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink on his Premiership bow and being reassured that Sir Alex had some centre-back on his hands.

Another vivid memory of Wes came from close quarters at Villa Park, as he made a comeback after his latest long spell on the sidelines due to injury. A 40-60 challenge quickly materialised and you could almost sense a natural twinge of self-doubt before he launched into a ferocious tackle that former Reds boss Ron Atkinson might like to call a 'reducer'. It spoke bucketloads about his character.

O'Shea's magical moments are obvious - the last-gasp winner at Anfield, the sublime lofted finish at Arsenal, nutmegging Luis Figo and terrorising Newcastle at St James' Park from left-back. His versatility was so important, keeping a clean sheet at Spurs when donning the gloves and coming on as centre-forward against Reading to emphasise the fact that he is the ultimate squad player.

Some fans will crave big-money signings and glamorous names but it's players like Brown and O'Shea who have proved so vital to ensuring United have enjoyed regular success. I wish them the very best at Sunderland, a fine, proud club, and know the Stadium of Light faithful will surely afford them the support and adulation they deserve.

It's good business for Steve Bruce and the players can look forward to regular first-team football. There's a real end-of-era feeling thanks to Edwin van der Sar, Owen Hargreaves, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, O'Shea and Brown all departing, but the next wave of senior professionals are already firmly established as Sir Alex expertly ensures his squad evolves and adapts to the changes.

And at least Ryan Giggs is still around to keep the ties with the past still firmly alive and others will no doubt step up to the plate to cement their own place in United's history.

Wes Brown talks about Sunderland move

Sunderland new boy Wes Brown has admitted he is looking forward to regular first-team football after only making sporadic appearances for United last season.

The popular defender spent 15 years as a professional at Old Trafford but made only four Premier League starts during the 2010/2011 title-winning campaign and, at 31, was happy to accept the offer of a move to the North East.

Former Reds skipper Steve Bruce was a factor in convincing Brown to join and the ex-England international is keen make an impact on Wearside after completing his switch for an undisclosed fee on Thursday.

After signing a four-year contract with his new club, Brown told SAFC TV: "It's been alright [making the decision] maybe because I'm older.

"It was disappointing not to have played as much as I could at Manchester United over the last couple of seasons so just to know that I'll be back in, playing, I'm focusing on that really and looking forward to it.

"Last season, I couldn't get into the team and that was frustrating but that's football and you move on.

"Sunderland is a big club and Steve Bruce was a big factor coming into it. That's what it came down to really.

When I was younger, I used to watch Steve and I've known him a bit as well so it was fine.

"I know a couple of lads who have been here and they say it's a wonderful club and I thought this was the place for me to come."

Bruce expressed his joy at sealing the deal in an interview with the Black Cats' official website as he continues to reshape his squad this summer.

"We are delighted to welcome a player of Wes' ability, experience and character to the club," said the former Reds captain.

"He has been a fantastic professional for Manchester United through the years and not only will he strengthen our defensive options, he will also bring with him a winning mentality and level of maturity which can only be positive for the players around him."

John O'Shea signs for Sunderland

Sunderland have completed the signing of John O'Shea on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

The long-serving Irishman joins Wes Brown at the Stadium of Light with both deals concluded on Thursday. Sir Alex Ferguson paid tribute to O'Shea and backed Black Cats boss Steve Bruce - a former United captain of course - to get the best out of the 30-year-old on a regular basis.

"John has been an outstanding servant to the club, since he broke into the first team almost a decade ago," Sir Alex told ManUtd.com. "His versatility, calmness under pressure and his commitment to the cause at United means that fans will remember him with great affection.

"John has won so many medals – and has deserved every one of them. He epitomises our club’s approach as a team. After so many years of service to United, I’m pleased that John has found a career opportunity which will deliver the number of games he deserves.

"We wish John every success in his new life. Steve Bruce is a manager that knows how to blend youth and experience and I’m sure he has John earmarked for a senior role in trying to take Sunderland on from their finish last season."

O'Shea becomes the fifth former Red on the Black Cats' playing staff, joining Phil Bardsley, Kieran Richardson, Fraizer Campbell and Brown. Danny Welbeck is now back at United after spending last term on loan at the North-East club.

Manchester United Gossip

The big shift of the morning appears to be in Arsene Wenger's stance, according to The Independent. The Arsenal manager will now allegedly agree to sell Samir Nasri, as long as he can recoup a £25million fee for the Frenchman. United's interest is 'clear' according to the article, while Manchester City, Chelsea, AC Milan and Internazionale are all reportedly peeping round the Reds and competing for Nasri's attentions.

Another standard appearance for Alexis Sanchez, who yesterday was tipped to head to Old Trafford if Barcelona swoop for Cesc Fabregas. Maybe not, according to Udinese sporting director Fabrizio Larini, who is quoted by Sporting Life as saying: "The negotiations with other clubs are at an advanced stage. At the moment Sanchez is involved in the Copa America but has clearly expressed his wish to play for Barcelona.

Wishy-washy comments are the lifeblood of rumour-mongers the world over. Take, for example, Gian Piero Gasperini in his first press conference as Internazionale coach. "I have no doubt that (Wesley) Sneijder is a great player," he told Italy's media. "It's difficult to know what can happen in the next 50 days of the transfer market. Wesley's situation does not worry me. In recent years, Inter have made fewer mistakes in the transfer market than other clubs and have made he best choices. Hence, I can only be optimistic." Cue contrasting headlines across the British media. 'Sneijder tipped to snub Chelsea and United', screams The Daily Mail. 'Coach comments give United hope over Sneijder', counters The Manchester Evening News.

Wolves. Sunderland. Tottenham. All very disappointed, according to The Belfast Telegraph, at the news that Jonny Evans will be staying at Old Trafford. The arrival of Phil Jones had seemingly cast doubt on the Ulsterman's Reds future, but the report claims that Sir Alex Ferguson is keen to keep hold of the 23-year-old.

You remember Lucas? Sao Paulo's talented young midfielder was last week tipped to be interesting United and Bayern Munich, only for his slightly prohibitive £70million pricetag to scupper any talk of a deal. Well, the fee is now up to £72million, according to Sky Sports, (why not?) and Qatar-owned Paris St Germain have been rebuffed in a bid for the 18-year-old, whose agent, Wagner Ribeiro, told L'Equipe: "We received a good offer from the Qataris, but the club doesn't want to sell."

Are Luka Modric and Spurs chewing the fat today over the Croatian's future and a potential move to Chelsea or United? Yes and no, it seems. Yes if you believe Sky Sports News, but no according to the Manchester Evening News. The latter makes a stronger case, arguing that the player is on holiday until Thursday. Suitcase closed.

United and City were both linked with Edinson Cavani a couple of weeks ago, but it seems the Uruguayan will be staying at Napoli, if these quotes from Fifa.com are anything to go by: "I'm very happy with everything that Naples and its people have given me, and that's why we'll be there again next year." Draw your own conclusions from that ambiguous, flirtatious piffle.