Man United Look East
Ji -Sung Park of Manchester United.
Manchester United have signed a five-year sponsorship deal with Telekom Malaysia in a move designed to make further inroads into their massive support in Malaysia.
Telekom Malaysia will become ManU’s “Integrated Telecommunications Partner” in Malaysia.
“Anyone who went on our tour of the Far East last summer knows the strength of feeling that Malaysians have for the club,” said chief executive David Gill.
“Over 40 000 attended our training session and another 40 000 came to the second match in Kuala Lumpur, despite only having 48 hours’ notice of the fixture.”
Next season, United will have a new shirt sponsor – insurance giant Aon Corporation – for four years.
Aon will replace AIG, who received a $150-billion bail-out from the US government in the wake of the economic recession.
Beckham Shows True Colours
David Beckham attempted to distance himself from the campaign to oust the Glazer family from Manchester United despite leaving the pitch wearing one of the green and gold scarves that have come to symbolise the fans’ protests against the club’s owners.
Beckham, afforded a stirring reception on his return to Old Trafford, picked up the scarf after it was thrown from the Stretford End on a night when Malcolm Glazer’s sons, Joel and Avram, were inside the stadium to witness the scale of antipathy towards their ownership of the club.
For someone of Beckham’s standing to endorse the green and gold movement would be regarded as a major victory for the protestors but, as the former United player reflected on Milan’s 4-0 defeat, the heaviest inflicted on them since the Champions League’s conception, he said he did not want to be regarded as a figurehead for the campaign. “I’m a Manchester United fan and when I saw the scarf I wanted to put it round my neck,” Beckham explained. “It’s the old colours of United but, to be honest, it’s not my business. I’m a United fan and I support the club. I always will, but it’s got nothing to do with me how it’s run. That’s all to do with other people. I just support the team. I will always support the team.”
That may disappoint those supporters who regarded Beckham’s final act before disappearing down the tunnel as a sign of public sympathy and solidarity. Beckham reflected on an “unbelievable” reaction from an Old Trafford crowd buoyed by a commanding performance from their team and two more goals from Wayne Rooney that left Sir Alex Ferguson wondering whether his leading scorer could emulate Cristiano Ronaldo’s total of 42 last season.
Ferguson was not surprised by the crowd’s affection for the former Beckham. “We expected that and he deserved that,” the United manager said. “Most of our former players get that type of reception. Paul Ince unfortunately went to play for Liverpool so they weren’t exactly throwing garlands at him when he came back but normally they always appreciate the players who have had great careers at this club.”
With thanks to the Guardian.co.uk
Pienaar Receives 12-Month Driving Ban
The Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar on Tuesday was banned from driving for 12 months after pleading guilty to drink-driving, a court official confirmed.
Pienaar was also fined £1 000 (R11 000) for the offence and ordered to pay a further £100 (R1 100) fine for failing to comply with a traffic signal.
The South Africa international was found to be nearly twice the legal limit after he was breath-tested by police in Liverpool. He was originally listed to appear at Liverpool magistrates court today but his decision to plead guilty meant he was dealt with yesterday.
The 27-year-old was pulled over by police in the early hours of Sunday 21 February, the day after Everton’s 3-1 win over Manchester United at Goodison Park. Merseyside police found the player had 61 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35 micrograms.
His year-long driving disqualification could be reduced by three months if he completes a course before 7 October.
A collection order for payment was made and Pienaar was ordered to pay a total of £100 in costs to cover both the charges brought against him, the court official said.
He arrived at the Merseyside club on loan in the summer of 2007, and his move from Borussia Dortmund was later made permanent when Everton paid £2 million (R22.2 million) for him.
Everton Football Club declined to comment.
Thanks to the guardian.co.uk
Michael Owen Left Out?
Michael Owen
Michael Owen has admitted he finds it difficult to express his true feelings about England.
Fabio Capello has not played Owen since the friendly with France almost two years ago but the striker’s international future remains a major discussion point.
He has a fine goalscoring record for England, while last summer’s switch to Manchester United was expected to boost his chances of going to the World Cup.
Owen has previously stated that he is not thinking too much about the subject, although he concedes that he has had to choose his words carefully.
“I’ve said many times that it’s difficult for me to talk about it,” he said.
“I can’t find the right words because, one slip of the tongue and I’m on the back page.
“If I said what I think or how I feel or everything else, I’d only be lying to you.”
Capello has always made it clear that he will only pick players who are performing regularly at club level and Owen has failed to establish himself as a permanent fixture for United, while he suffered a hamstring injury in the Carling Cupfinal.
But Owen has reiterated this week that he is happy at Old Trafford and would rather be a substitute for United than in the first team of a struggling club.
“I’d like to play a lot more, obviously, but you try getting into the team with Wayne Rooney playing like this!” he said.
“If Wayne hadn’t been scoring two or three goals in games, the manager might have rotated more.
“If there had been one or two more injuries, he might have rotated more.
“But there’s no way that I’m unhappy about how things have gone or my decision to come here. I’m absolutely delighted with the way things have gone.”
Owen, who scored in the Carling Cup final, said, “I played for teams that haven’t been doing well in the league and I’d prefer to be playing a lesser role.
“Now I’m training every day with real top-quality players.
“I want to improve my game and, when I do play, be involved in games.”
Courtesy of Sky Sports
The Rich Get Richer
Gonzalo Higuain of Real Madrid.
Real Madrid have been named the world’s richest football club for the fifth year in a row. Meanwhile, the “Red Knights” have met to discuss a billion-pound takeover of Manchester United.
Deloitte’s sport unit reports that Real are the first sports team to earn more than 400-million euros (R4-billion).
Barcelona are second on the list, pushing Manchester United down into third. Bayern Munich are fourth, and Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool are fifth, sixth and seventh respectively.
But ManU fans have bigger matters on their minds now that a group of a group of financiers (aka the Red Knights) have been preparing a take-over of the club.
The much-hated Glazer family, the owners of United, have run up debt worth almost double the club’s annual income.
The Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST) have recruited 53 520 members and have started a “Green and Gold” campaign which asks supporters to wear the colours of Newton Heath, the original name of the club before it was renamed Manchester United in 1902.
Thousands of green and gold scarves were seen at United’s Carling Cup final win against Aston Villa on Sunday.
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