The international break means there will be little club news to report. But it seems some sort of groundwork is already being set in motion, with the transfer window a month and a half away.

Here's Schalke defender Marcelo Bordon, in an interview to German newspaper, Bild on goal keeper, Manuel Neuer:

"I know it would be terrible for the supporters of the club, but you have to keep the situation of the club in mind.

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So here we are, the first day of the "Interlull".
It's a time of year when everyone else couldn't care less about club news, let alone Perth Glory news.
Not too sure about the Glory's media commitments this week, but if they're anything like FP, then they will be on a good old fashioned holiday. Click to continue reading...

United have once again been linked with January moves for Valencia's star men, David Villa and David Silva. The future of both Spanish Internationals was the focus of much media attention over the summer with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Liverpool keeping tabs on the situation to name but a few.

Valencia managed to hold on to their prized assets in the summer but as their financial troubles show no sign of letting up, it looks increasingly likely they will lose one if not both in the winter.

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A recent poll carried out by Sports Interactive has confirmed what we United fans have known for sometime. Sir Alex Ferguson is by far the greatest manager to have ever graced the game of football.

Football fans who play the popular Football Manager game series were polled to see who they hold in highest regard with Fergie coming out on top; head and shoulders above anyone else.

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Following Manchester United's 1-0 win over CSKA Moscow, Alex Ferguson took time to single out the opposition's goalkeeper; remarking that the 23 Russian shot stopper was ‘outstanding'.

I'm not sure if Ferguson saw something I didn't but over the course of the ninety minutes, it seems staggering that the young goalkeeper deserved such high praise.

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A nice story for a Monday afternoon – Chelsea captain John Terry has reached into his sizeable pockets to help maintain the future of his club's women's football team.
According to a story in the Guardian, Chelsea Ladies – who have made good progress in the last few years – have suffered a cut in funding recently which threatened to overshadow their development.

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A nice story for a Monday afternoon – Chelsea captain John Terry has reached into his sizeable pockets to help maintain the future of his club's women's football team.
According to a story in the Guardian, Chelsea Ladies – who have made good progress in the last few years – have suffered a cut in funding recently which threatened to overshadow their development.

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Alex Ferguson has issued an apology over comments made about Alan Wiley's fitness following United's disappointing 2-2 draw with Sunderland.

United salvaged a point from the match thanks to an injury time own goal from Anton Ferdinand but rather than point the spotlight at his own players, Ferguson let rip at Alan Wiley claiming he was ‘unfit' and questioned the referee's timekeeping.

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Manchester United have been given the all clear in their bid to sign 16 year old Paul Pogba from French club Le Havre.

Le Havre reported United to FIFA claiming that they had agreed a contract with the midfielder which was due to come into effect at the start of the 09/10 campaign.

Le Havre also dragged United's good name through the mud, slinging accusations of bribery our way, however, no report was made to FIFA over these allegations; presumably because the allegations were unfounded.

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It appears Alex Ferguson has given up hope of Ben Foster becoming United's number one as reports suggest Julio Cesar is a potential transfer target for the club.

The Brazilian international, aged 30, joined Inter in 2005 and is now regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world. With Van der Sar turning 40 this month it was hoped either Ben Foster or Tomasz Kuszczak would take the reigns but after failing to impress, it looks like Ferguson will look elsewhere in an attempt to replace the veteran Dutchman.

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Here's some unwanted news: Jay DeMerit blinded himself with a contact lens. Yep. That's right. A contact lens.

From Soccernet:

The 29-year-old U.S. defender accidentally cut his eye a couple of weeks ago as he took the lens out at the team hotel, and it has since become infected.

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Almost everyone from within football seems to have an opinion on time keeping in football after Sunday's derby day win over Man City. It sees the additional couple of minutes of stoppage time that was played by Martin Atkinson is a bit of a hotly contested topic. Given the simplicity of the reasoning behind the referee's decision, I really don't understand why we are still hearing about this.

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As CSKA Moscow goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev prepares for two potential encounters with United in the up coming Champions League group stages, the Russian goalkeeper has one eye on linking up with the Premier League champions in the not too distant future.

There was speculation the shot stopper could have joined United in the summer but despite a move never materialising, the young keeper is still hopeful.

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by CARL ELDRIDGE Oh, the drudgery of international week. Let's get these games out the way and look forward to the trip to Manchester City on Saturday. Club news items are few and far between as the back pages discuss the merits or otherwise of England beating Slovenia and turning the attention to the crucial World Cup qualifier against Croatia on Wednesday at Wembley.

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Apparently, it's going to happen by the end of this season. According to Emmanuel Adebayor anyway.

"I don't think it will be long before we are the top team in Manchester," he told the News of the World. "People talk about it being in a year's time, but I have the belief it can be this season.

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United kick off their Premier League defence at home to Birmingham tomorrow with a squad not much different from that of last season. Obviously there were a couple of big name departures but the high profile replacements many expected never materialised and with the possible exception of Antonio Valencia, United will field a team of seasoned Reds when they kick off tomorrow.

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Once again Jose Mourinho has stated his ambition to manage Manchester United when Sir Alex Ferguson finally relinquishes the reins.

"I would consider going to Manchester United but United have to consider if they want me to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson" the self proclaimed "Special One" said.

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Liverpool co-owner George Gillett has moved to strengthen his financial position ahead of the club's refinancing deadline in July by agreeing a £330 million deal to sell Montreal Canadiens, his National Hockey League franchise.
Gillett and joint owner Tom Hicks are due to refinance their £350 million loan with the Royal Bank of Scotland and Wachovia on July 24, although the pair are expected to agree a deal to secure an extension to the deadline. Click to continue reading...

Here's some random MLS related links for you to check out:
The Goal Blog at The New York Times has Brian Ching's Ultimate XI.
The Texian Army spent some time with Ade Akinbiyi after Saturday's reserve match against the Laredo Heat, and it caught the attention of the Burnley Football Club News. Click to continue reading...

Alex Ferguson has dismissed his side's chances of an unprecedented five trophies this season whilst maintaining he is working with his best ever squad of players. In an interview published in the New Statesman, Ferguson said: "The thing about cup football is you need to be the best but you also need a lot of luck and [. Click to continue reading...

Terribly sorry that I didn't post yesterday, but I've been uber busy. Anyway, since there's no national news, let's turn our attention to club news.
Champions League
Fiorentina tied 2-2 in their CL Group Stage opener with Lyonnais. The game was full of controversy, and you can debate until you're bluer than Tobias Funke over whether Lyonnais' first goal was valid or not.

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Another busy morning filled with transfer and pre-season news to report.
New reports have Mark Hughes targeting Inter Milan midfielder Dejan Stankovic and Espanyol defender Pablo Zabaleta. Also back on the radar is Zenit St Petersburg's playmaker Andrei Arshavin. Click to continue reading...

Michael Bradley is on another planet these days. Just past weekend, he notched his fourteenth and fifteenth goals in all competitions this season for Heerenveen, making him the all-time leading scorer for an American born player in a European first division. If that wasn't impressive enough, chew on the fact that the kid is only [. Click to continue reading...

United official club today announces the club has appointed Dennis Wise in the role of Executive Director (Football), Tony Jimenez as Vice President who will be responsible for future player recruitments for the club and Jeff Vetere, who joins from Real Madrid in the position of Technical Co-ordinator.

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BBC report reveals today that Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan has confirmed that Alan Shearer will not be his assistant - but insists he could still have a role with the club.

I have personally thought that the posibility of Big Al as King Kev assistant was as thin as skin couple days ago, and it comes to even worst when Shearer's told the Sun couple days ago that he didn't see Newcastle as the only club that he can manage.

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Newcastle United have offered Nigerian international striker, Obafemi Martins a staggering £26 million deal to stay at St James' Park until 2013.

He is currently away on Africa Cup of Nations duty, with three-and-a-half years of his current contract, but Mike Ashley has sanctioned a two-year extension to Martins' contract and a fifty per-cent rise from his current wages to £90,000 per week.

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Newcastle United local player, Steven Taylor has the guarantee for his long-term future with United team.

Kevin Keegan will taking care of the geordie lad after strengthening Newcastle's current squad before the transfer window ended in seven days.

"I like Steven Taylor," Keegan said, "I I thought Taylor was tremendous, and I have been very impressed with him every time I have seen him play for a long time now.

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AFP report today, Lazio's Macedonia forward Goran Pandev claimed in an interview published Wednesday that new Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan is trying to bring him to St. James' Park.

Pandev's career is never had any bright spotlight from the press before, despite having a dismal season for the Roman club Lazio, he has scored 38 goals from 121 matches for them in all competitions since his move in 2004.

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Middlesbrough born defender, Jonathan Woodgate is being reported as one of King Kev target to sign for United this month. Currently playing in permanently for his hometown club after on loan from Real Madrid last season.

Woody, the player which is very close to the phrase "injury ravaged", Woodgate never had any season free from injury and he only booked 200 appearances in total from his nearly ten years career as a professional footballer.

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Belgian international center back, Daniel Van Buyten (born February 7, 1978 in Chimay) is open for any offer from Newcastle United and looking forward to have a reunion with his former manager at Manchester City.

Starting his career with Belgian club Charleroi Sporting Club, Daniel making his name in France with Olympique Marseille, where he has half season loan in the 2003-04 season with Manchester City but did not make a full time move to the Premiership club.

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After watching his "limited" Toon squad stalemate game against Bolton yesterday, King Kev reveals he needs to bring in at least three more players in January transfer window.

Admitted it was frustrating one, Keegan saw his second reign at St. James' Park met the Wanderers stubborn barrier, Gary Megson's squad hold the gate very tight for any of United players to creating clear chances infront of their goal.

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For some of the Toon Army and the gloomy press news, the signing of Kevin Keegan as United boss last Wednesday could be the end of Michael Owen career at Newcastle.

Owen talk about his time under Keegan on his autobiography book was brought up at King Kev Press conference yesterday, but he answer all the speculations about his relationship with the England striker by making him United skipper today against Bolton.

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First game in charge for the Messiah as Newcastle will take on the Trotters and will try to do the double against them this season. United has won the first meeting at Reebok stadium on the opening day under Sam Allardyce.

King Kev will lead the United team without seven first team players.

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It was officially announce today that Kevin Keegan is finally become the chosen one, and will mark his second return to Newcastle United.

There's still no official statement from King Kev about his second return for Toon, but it's clearly that his love for Newcastle United that brought him back.

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For about a week now, we only read about any speculations of who will replace Sam Allardyce as the manager of Newcastle United. Today, United chairman told the official site, he and the owner Mike Ashley feels the most important thing now is to get the decision right.

Mort said, he wants a manager who also able to lay solid foundations for Newcastle future and to that they will need to take whatever time is necessary in making that right decision.

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