[bbfan1991]

Manchester United’s Japanese star Shinji Kagawa has made his first move to impress new manager David Moyes by offering to cut short his holidays to join the club on tour this summer.

Kagawa – who had a mixed debut season at Old Trafford – is due to be given extra time off in July as he is about to spend three weeks playing for his country in the Confederations Cup and hasn’t yet had a break following the conclusion of his Barclays Premier League campaign.

But Sportsmail understands that the 24-year-old has offered to join Moyes and his squad for the Japanese leg of United’s pre-season tour as a gesture of goodwill.

He follows new Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who claimed that he could start the pre-season campaign already.

'I don't need a holiday. I'm sorry we don't start training tomorrow!' said the Portuguese boss.

Kagawa will in all likelihood not be fit enough to play in games in Tokyo and Osaka but is keen to meet Moyes, train with the squad and help United with the promotional obligations they have to their raft of sponsors in that part of the world.

Visiting Japan without Kagawa would hamper United’s efforts to make that leg of the tour a resounding success, something the player took in to account when making his decision.

The former Borussia Dortmund forward is hugely popular in his home country and just having him on the bench or in the stands for games against Yokohama Marinos on July 23 at Nissan Stadium and Cerezo Osaka on three days later at Osaka Nagai Stadium will ensure the stadiums are full for those games.

Several years ago, for example, United’s former South Korea star Park Ji-sung sat on the bench for a United pre-season game in Seoul.

Even though he wasn’t fit enough to play he was still given the man-of-the-match award by the local sponsors just for the way he waved at the stadium cameras from the sidelines.

Kagawa scored six league goals for United last season but his efforts were hampered by a knee injury. Just last week he said he hoped to learn from United team-mates Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie and improve his levels for Moyes next season.

Good lad Shinji.

[bbfan1991]

Centre-backs

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Fe...tre-backs.aspx

[bbfan1991]

Berg's advice for Daehli

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Fe...ht-future.aspx

Johnstone backs England U-20s

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Fe...s-preview.aspx

[bbfan1991]

Kagawa: Japan can win in Brazil

Shinji Kagawa is adamant Japan can win the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil and the Manchester United playmaker can’t wait to get started.



Although the competition is traditionally viewed as a warm-up for next summer's World Cup, offering the host nation a chance to fine-tune stadia and other logistical issues, Kagawa is taking it seriously and insists his team-mates will not be making up the numbers.

And just a month after bagging his first Barclays Premier League title with United, the 24-year-old wants to develop his burgeoning medal collection and is excited to test himself against Group A foes Brazil, Italy and Javier Hernandez’s Mexico.

“Our opponents are all excellent teams, so this will be a good gauge of how we can perform away from home with a year to go until the World Cup,” Shinji told FIFA.com ahead of Saturday’s curtain-raiser against the hosts at the newly-built Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha in Brasilia.

“We need this sort of preparation, and I want to see how we handle the atmosphere and how far we can go. We’re going there to win, so the question will be how we can achieve that. That’s my mind-set going into this tournament.

“All the teams have many fantastic players, and each team has its own individual style. Our defence and attack need to be in sync, and even then we won’t win unless we work hard. But this is why I play the game, and I can’t wait to get stuck in.”

[bbfan1991]

Top trumps: David De Gea

Since signing in 2011, David De Gea has made the Manchester United no.1 spot his own and looks completely at home at Old Trafford.

And now that he is an established squad member after two full seasons in M16, we thought we’d put his knowledge of his title-winning team-mates to the test.

In an exclusive feature, first published in United Uncovered, the Spanish starlet is forced to randomly select two colleagues and then answer five questions about their illustrious careers.

How did David perform? Watch the free video above to find out.

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Fe...interview.aspx

[Ryan57]

Originally Posted by bbfan1991

Centre-backs

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Fe...tre-backs.aspx

I can't wait for the midfield edition. The bias about the embarrassment that is midfield will be laughable.

[bbfan1991]

Inside OT: Dressing room

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Fe...itterManUtdPO#

[bbfan1991]

Sheringham's respect for Giggs

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Fe...longevity.aspx

[bbfan1991]

Alex Buttner's praise for the retiring Sir Alex Ferguson!

http://www.insidefutbol.com/2013/06/...g-words/89016/

[bbfan1991]

When Jonny met Danny

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Fe...y-welbeck.aspx

[bbfan1991]

Youtube video

[bbfan1991]

Interview: The three amigos

United Uncovered sat down with team-mates and good friends Antonio Valencia, David De Gea and Javier Hernandez to get their views on an epic season...

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Fe...id-de-gea.aspx

[bbfan1991]

Following the greats

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Fe...vid-moyes.aspx

Inside OT: TV gantry

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Fe...dner-mutv.aspx

[bbfan1991]

Kagawa's Japan start with defeat

Shinji Kagawa's FIFA Confederations Cup campaign began in disappointment on Saturday evening following Japan's 3-0 defeat to hosts Brazil.



Kagawa completed the full 90 minutes in the competition's Group A curtain-raiser at the newly-built Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha in Brasilia. It was the first international match to use goal-line technology, but it was not needed for any decisions.

Brazil took the lead after just three minutes thanks to a stunning 20-yard strike from Barcelona's summer signing Neymar.

Japan weren't about to let the early strike derail them, but while they passed the ball well and enjoyed some good possession, there was a lack of penetration in the final third.

Hulk and Fred each went close to doubling Brazil's advantage as the half went on, before Paulinho made it 2-0 three minutes after the restart. It was a fine strike from the Brazilian who controlled Dani Alves' cross and hammered a low shot past Japan stopper Eiji Kawashima.

Substitute Jo, formerly of Manchester City, made sure of the victory in injury-time, scoring with his first touch after being set up brilliantly by Oscar.

The second game in Group A between Javier Hernandez's Mexico and Italy takes place on Sunday, KO 20:00 BST.

[bbfan1991]

De Gea reaches historic final

David De Gea is on the verge of making history after reigning champions Spain comfortably beat Norway 3-0 to reach the final of the European Under-21 Championship in Israel.



Saturday’s result prolonged the Manchester United goalkeeper’s perfect record in the competition, having not conceded a single goal in four matches, and means he is now just 90 minutes away from retaining the continental crown that was won so admirably in Denmark two summers ago.

As well as this, De Gea will also equal Santi Denia’s Spanish Under-21 appearance record if he features in Tuesday’s showpiece final against Italy in Jerusalem, which is almost inevitable given the 22-year-old’s heroics throughout the prestigious tournament.

Impressively, in a reflection of Spain’s dominance on Saturday, De Gea did not make a single save and was able to watch in delight as his team-mates cruised to a semi-final victory thanks to goals from Rodrigo, Isco and Álvaro Morata.

And prior to kick-off, David explained how he has mentored the younger Spanish players, calling for focus at a crucial time in their lives: “The message we try to transmit to the group is that this is a unique tournament that you might only play once in your career, or if you are very lucky, twice.”

Well done to David De Gea and the Spain U-21's and I hope that they win in the final against Italy.

[bbfan1991]

Rio: I had to quit England, I was depressed from the pain of my injury hell

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...#ixzz2WKWQ1Ykm

[bbfan1991]

Amos elbow op successful

Young Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Amos is confident he'll be fit to report for pre-season training after he underwent a minor operation on Friday 14 June.



Amos, who spent the first six months of 2012/13 on loan at promotion-chasing Hull City before returning to the Reds to help steer Warren Joyce's Under-21s side to the title, will be hoping to build on that experience next season.

He's already played seven times for United's first team and has pre-season tour experience with the Reds dating back to 2008 when he was just 18.

This summer the champions head to Thailand, Australia, Japan and Hong Kong, and Amos, despite Friday's operation, believes he'll be fit for purpose should new manager David Moyes call on him.

Early on Friday morning Amos revealed on Twitter he was "off for a little procedure on my elbow". Five hours later, he provided a positive update.

"Apparently all went well. 5mm bit of bone taken out and excess bone shaved down," he tweeted. "Recovery time hopefully 10 days just in time for pre season!"

The Reds' first summer fixture is against a Singha All Star XI in Bangkok, Thailand on Saturday 13 July.

Glad it has gone well.

[bbfan1991]

Chicha nets for Mexico

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Fe...ico-italy.aspx

[bbfan1991]

Asia visit excites Nemanja Vidic

Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic is relishing the chance to lead the Reds during the summer visits to Australia and Asia in preparation for the new season.



The Reds will play matches in Bangkok, Sydney, Yokohama, Osaka and Hong Kong as part of Tour 2013 Presented By Aon and Vidic says all the players are looking forward to the trip, especially the Asian leg.

"I’m very excited. We’ve had good experiences in Asia before and I hope we have a good one again," he told ManUtd.com. "We know we have supporters all around the world and we try each year to give them a chance to see a game and meet us. United have done a great job at that over the years.

"The fans in Asia are always very excited to see us and are very passionate about Manchester United. They respect the players and they love the club. Even at Old Trafford you can see so many of them each week – they fly all the way to Manchester to watch the games.

"It’s always been nice for us to see the different countries when we travel to Asia and I’m sure we’ll have another good experience this time."

[bbfan1991]

2013/14 fixture list beckons

Manchester United fans will be able to map out the 2013/14 Barclays Premier League season on Wednesday when the official fixtures are released at 09:00 BST.

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Fe...e-preview.aspx

I'm excited to see it tomorrow!

[bbfan1991]

RvP: 20 moments and more

With the Barclays Premier League 2013/14 fixtures due for release on Wednesday 19 June, we’ll soon be looking ahead to the new campaign. But in the latest issue of Inside United magazine, on sale this week, Robin van Persie has one last glance back at what was an incredible debut campaign at Old Trafford.



United’s no.20, who scored 30 goals, won his first league winners’ medal and bagged the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award as voted for by the fans, picks out the 20 moments that made his first year in Manchester so special.

On scoring his first Reds hat-trick at Southampton in September, he says: “This was my first experience of United’s famous never-say-die attitude. It was a crazy match but we never gave up. I still think about the penalty I missed. I was so lucky to have a chance to make that mistake right by scoring another two goals.”

Of his stunning volley against Aston Villa in April, supplied by Wayne Rooney’s sumptuous pass, Robin says: “It was instinct. I looked up and thought: ‘This ball is so nice, it’s too beautiful to take a touch’.” And of United's supporters, he enthused: "The whole season the fans have been unbelievable from my very first match at Old Trafford."

But for the smooth-talking Dutchman the best experience is how all these moments came together, resulting in United’s 20th – and his first – league title. “I have to say that winning a trophy is fantastic,” he adds. “It’s great but the road to the trophy is maybe even nicer. Being together every day and working on details, getting better step-by-step, beating opponents and then at the end of all that is the result and the trophy.”

With the new season creeping ever closer, van Persie's final message whets the appetite for what promises to be an enthralling, intriguing campaign under new boss David Moyes. “It’s been an honour and I’m still thrilled about what’s happened in the last 10 months or so,” he concludes. “Hopefully we can do even better, crack on and win even more trophies.”

[bbfan1991]

De Gea targets world accolade

David De Gea is determined to become the best goalkeeper in world football – although the Manchester United goalkeeper says he has work to do before earning such a tag.



The 22-year-old was outstanding for much of the 2012/13 season, helping the Reds secure the Barclays Premier League title whilst winning a place in the PFA Team of the Year. He also finished third in the voting for the club's prestigious Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award.

To conclude an excellent campaign, De Gea is currently starring for Spain in the European Under-21 Championship in Israel, keeping four clean sheets en route to Tuesday night’s showpiece final against Italy at Jerusalem's Teddy Stadium.

“I have grown a lot,” David told Spanish newspaper AS when quizzed on his development since joining the Reds from Atlético Madrid in 2011. “I am more experienced, I have played a lot of games for United, and I am sure of myself and confident.

“Of course, I am very grateful for the effort they (United) made to buy me and for the support they gave me. First Atlético, then United trusted in me.

“My objective is to be right up there with the best players in the world, that's what makes me excited, and I’m doing everything I can to achieve that.

“I am playing at a very high level. I have had one year playing well but I'm still very young. I think that I still have a way to go before I reach the level of the best in the world.”

As well as his own immeasurable talent, part of De Gea’s personal development must be attributed to United’s coaching staff and former boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who signed him as a replacement for the retired Edwin van der Sar.

Of course, when De Gea returns to Manchester for pre-season training, his recently retired manager will have been replaced by David Moyes. And although it will be different, the Spaniard admits he is looking forward to a new chapter for the Reds.

“It will be very strange because Sir Alex spent 26 years at the same club, but this is football, and all eras must come to an end,” he said. “We are delighted that David Moyes is the new coach as he has the same level of enthusiasm as Sir Alex.

“I am very proud to have had the privilege of working with Sir Alex, it was a real pleasure. He is the best coach of all time and working with him is something I will be able to tell my children and my grandchildren about.

“The best advice that he gave me was to simply give my all. He told me to continue with the same mentality I have always had. I owe a lot of my capabilities as a goalkeeper to him.”

DDG is a very honest and down to earth guy. He definitely has the world class talent, ability and potential to be the best GK in the world.

[bbfan1991]

Buttner: I nearly quit Man Utd

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...esickness.html

Bebe wants to leave United though, it is for the best really...

[bbfan1991]

Moyes' boys: Centre-midfield

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Fe...dfielders.aspx

[bbfan1991]

United to play in Stockholm

Manchester United to Play in Stockholm

• Game v AIK Fotboll as part of the Manchester United 2013 Tour, presented by Aon

(NYSE:MANU) Premier League champions Manchester United will play a pre-season match against AIK in Stockholm as part of its 2013 Tour, presented by Aon.



The game will take place on Tuesday 6 August 2013 at Friends Arena.

Manchester United chief executive David Gill said: "I’m delighted that the final game of our preparations for the 2013/14 season will be in the magnificent new home of Swedish football. This match is our first against AIK and will provide a tough test for the players as the new campaign approaches.

"As a club, we have visited Sweden many times and, of course, one of our Treble winners of 1999, Jesper Blomqvist, appeared 30 times for the Swedish national team, as well as playing – and scoring – against United for Gothenburg in the Champions League."

Thomas Perslund, CEO of Friends Arena, said: "We are proud to have Manchester United at Friends Arena and I am sure this game against AIK will be unforgettable for the football fans coming on 6 August."

AIK managing director Thomas Edselius said: "From AIK’s side, we are looking forward to this opportunity to play against one of the most successful clubs in the world. Our ambition is to consistently play in the European cups and we are therefore always interested in playing against top-level European clubs.

"We are proud that Manchester United has chosen AIK for this match. We are also very excited about this game where the two biggest clubs in Sweden and England have the opportunity to play for the first time."

Aon is delighted to be the presenting partner of Manchester United’s 2013 Tour, offering its expertise in risk management, insurance, reinsurance brokerage and human resources solutions.

Greg Case, president and chief executive officer of Aon, said: "Aon’s partnership with Manchester United is as valuable in Sweden as it is in Asia or Latin America. Being the presenting partner for Tour 2013 gives Aon colleagues in Sweden and around the world a tremendous opportunity to demonstrate what we do for clients, and how the issues we help them with, including risk, talent, health, retirement, and data and analytics, are equally important in the worlds of business and sport."

Tickets are on pre-sale now to the AIK and Manchester United Scandinavian supporters clubs and go on general sale at 08:00 BST on Wednesday 19 June via Ticnet.