According to the Manchester Evening News, Manchester United have signed Freddie Veseli from Manchester City.

The 19-year-old central defender joined the club in 2008 but has become frustrated by the lack of first team opportunities. He made his debut for the club in a pre-season friendly in the summer but when the dreadful Stefan Savic got the nod ahead of him during Vincent Kompany's absence, the Veseli clearly realised it was time to leave.

Much of his life would be a fantastic comic book or children's book series on how not to behave as an adult. Which Mario so rarely appears to be.

But today he decided to go to school a random school since he needed to use the bathroom. Of course since it's Balotelli, you know he found one in the faculty room.

Image via AP Photos.

The UK Home Office, responsible for immigration and passports, drugs policy, crime, counter-terrorism and police, has been tooting its horn for all to hear today.

The reason?

Arrests for football-related disorders among English and Welsh fans has hit a new, all time record low.

By Alan Duffy

2009 winner Ryan Giggs. Talent, looks, money AND personality no wonder he's a hit with the ladies.

The Manchester Evening News demonstrated a rather fine example of parochialism in choosing its shortlist for the 2011 BBC Sports Personality awards.

"I don't even want him banned because we need as many fans as we can get."

Chaddy the Owl, mascot of English third division club Oldham, recommended leniency for the Oldham fan who punched him in the face after he and his 7-foot bird costume hit the stands for some photos with friendlier fans.

By Chris Wright

Owl abuse in football is a serious issue. Only last year did we see a poor, defenseless hooter kicked to death during a game by Deportivo Pereira defender Luis Moreno.

Moreno was fined and given community service in a zoo.

It's been a big week for Manchester. First of all the Manchester Egg was, thanks to the Food and Drink festival, brought to the wider audience it deserved, smashing out of the cult snack niche in to mainstream acceptance, and in doing so being treated with the same sort of awestruck reverence that greeted Marty McFly's guitar playing at the Enchantment Under The Sea Dance.

It's been a big week for Manchester. First of all the Manchester Egg was, thanks to the Food and Drink festival, brought to the wider audience it deserved, smashing out of the cult snack niche in to mainstream acceptance, and in doing so being treated with the same sort of awestruck reverence that greeted Marty McFly's guitar playing at the Enchantment Under The Sea Dance.

As Manchester City look to prepare a January transfer deal for Carlos Tevez, Coach Roberto Mancini has deflected attention of the club's current striker crisis by lavishing praise on Italian striker Mario Balotelli.

City are currently facing a serious striker crisis after injuries to Aguero and Balotelli coupled with Tevez's suspension have ruled out all the 3 ahead of this weekend's home match against Aston Villa.

Manchester United striker Michael Owen has admitted he was concerned his contract with the Premier League champions was not going to be renewed after the club lifted the title last season.

The former England regular only played a bit-part in United's 19th league title success, with strikers Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez enjoying much of the game time towards the business end of the season, which saw the Red Devils also reach the final of the Champions League.

Growing up in the 1970's, tactics was never something that was discussed much. United played 4-4-2 week in and week out with the same players turning out each Saturday afternoon. We had Coppell and Hill on the wings, Daly and McIlroy in the middle with Pearson and Macari up front. If someone was injured then David McCreery was the usual substitute.

Manchester United are going to be a much bigger challenge to Barcelona for the Champions League in the coming years, according to one Old Trafford veteran.

Gary Neville, who retired during last season after almost 20 years with the Red Devils, saw United beaten comprehensively in the Champions League final for the second time in three years by Barcelona.

- After claiming he wanted to spend the rest of his career at Manchester United, Carlos Tevez left the club whose badge he used to kiss to join Manchester City.

- Despite being given the captaincy at City, Tevez handed in a transfer request less than 18 months at the club.

- After repeatedly claiming he was unhappy because he was so far away from his family, City gave him time off to visit them.

According to James Robson at the Manchester Evening News, Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given is unsure about his future with the club, putting many teams like Arsenal, Tottenham, and QPR all on alert. The 35-year-old goalkeeper said,

"It's not ideal because I don't feel much sharp sometimes when I'm playing for Ireland .

A confusing weekend for the Manchester newspapers, who, for the first time in some thirty-five years, had a bit of a conflict as to which club's achievements they should be featuring on their front page. We particularly enjoyed the Manchester Evening News, which evaded the problem completely by sticking the Great Manchester Run on the front of their esteemed organ, and dealing with other relevant matters elsewhere.

According to the Manchester Evening News, Manchester City are going to hold talks during the summer with defender Vincent Kompany in the hopes of agreeing to a new deal. It is reported that Kompany's wages could increase to around £120,000-a-week.

Another great post by Liam Blackburn. Liam has worked at The Sunday Times and The Manchester Evening News. Check out his blog at http://samenamedifferentgames.wordpress.com/. Look out for our Birmingham and Everton focused Weekend Preview column tomorrow morning. The fallout from last ... Continue reading →

On February 15, 2003 the Manchester faithful lay in shock after United were eliminated from the FA Cup in the fifth round to Arsenal (2-0). But what was more shocking was seeing David Beckham exiting the locker room with stitches over his brow.

After the match, a livid Fergie exploded some pent-up frustration on his team brought up by their on-field form, or lack thereof.

According to the Manchester Evening News, Manchester City footballer Shaun-Wright Phillips is uncertain about his future with the club. He said,

"I'm here for three months and my heart is set on playing well for that period ... Until the season is over there's nothing much I can really say on the matter.

An excellent first post by our newest contributor to the blog, Liam Blackburn. Liam has worked at The Sunday Times and The Manchester Evening News and is currently studying journalism in Sheffield. Check out his blog at http://samenamedifferentgames.wordpress.com/. In recent ... Continue reading →

By Chris Wright

United's City-baiting Stretford End 'clock' banner

Former Man Utd medal harvester David May is planning a party in the city centre on the eve of the upcoming Manchester derby (this Saturday), which he has described as a 'celebration' of Man City's 35th year without a trophy.

According to Stuart Brennan at the Manchester Evening News, Real Madrid have agreed to sign Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor permanently after the season. It is reported that the two clubs agreed to a deal up to £15.3million (£1.7 for him on loan this season, £1.

According to the Manchester Evening News, Manchester City will not be dealing Shay Given this transfer window. Manager Roberto Mancini said,

"The window closes soon. For us it would be impossible to find another goalkeeper like Shay.

MANCHESTER, England Manchester United have once again insisted the club is not for sale ahead of renewed speculation that they will be subject to a £1.5bn Qatari takeover. Reports on Sunday claimed the Premier League leaders' controversial US owners, the Glazers, had held preliminary discussions with Qatar Holdings over a deal to sell the [.

According to the Manchester Evening News, Manchester United footballer Ryan Giggs has put aside any talk of retirement and admitted that he is excited to continue playing next season. Giggs said,

"I am quite happy still playing at the moment and enjoying my football as much as ever .

According to James Robson at the Manchester Evening News, Sunderland are interested in signing Manchester United youngster Danny Welbeck on a permanent basis and are willing to offer £10million. However Bruce admitted that it will be very difficult signing Welbeck saying,

"In terms of converting any loan player to a permanent signing, you have to accept it's a fact of life that, in most cases, the better they do the less chance you have of getting them .

Before Manchester United FC visited Tottenham Hotspur FC this past weekend, the Spurs manager Harry Redknapp was eager to point out that his team now had players whom his counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson "would love at Old Trafford".
That may be the case with some individuals in a Tottenham side whose free-scoring form in UEFA Champions League Group A (18 goals) contrasted with United's own sparsity of goals in the competition before Christmas – their tally of seven constituting their third-lowest in 16 seasons of group-stage competition.

According to Stuart Brennan at the Manchester Evening News, 22-year-old Manchester City midfielder Michael Johnson wants to be loaned out. Johnson said,

"Without saying too much, it's better for me to go and get games now ... Ideally, that would mean going out somewhere for the rest of the season.

Since United officially signed 26-year-old Danish goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard on January 6th. It has put the number two spot, soon to be number one spot, up for grabs.

Kuszczak has been waiting for this opportunity since 2007, and says he is ready to succeed Van der Sar, but I'm not sure he is too confident based on his interview with the Manchester evening news.

Manchester United goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak has insisted that he finds in himself a suitable replacement for 40 year-old Edwin van der Sar claiming he is good enough to fill in the gloves when the Dutch finally calls quit.

Van der sar has been recently out with a flu, and the current Manchester United number 1 is considering his options concerning either retiring or going on for Manchester United.

The Manchester Evening News is reporting that Newcastle are one of seven clubs interested in signing Manchester United defender Wes Brown in January. Wes Brown - available in January? The clubs are said to be Tottenham Hotspur, Sunderland, Blackburn Rovers, Everton, Birmingham City, West Bromwich and Newcastle United.

According to the Manchester Evening News, Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes that Michael Owen will have a part to play with the club this season, which leads to the assumption that he isn't going anywhere this month. Ferguson said,

"Now he is back fit, Michael will always be considered part of the squad and he will play in some big games .

According to the Manchester Evening News, the agent of Patrice Evra has dismissed the rumor linking the 29-year-old with Real Madrid. Federico Pastorello said,

"There is definitely no truth in a move away from United ... He is very happy at United and is excited about how well the season is going.

According to James Robson at the Manchester Evening News, Manchester United are looking to extend the contract of striker Dimitar Berbatov. It is reported that the club would like to give him a three-year extension worth £120,000 a week

UPDATE: According to ESPN Soccernet, Federico Macheda will be joining Sampdoria on loan for the rest of the season. Sampdoria president Riccardo Garrone said,

"I am very happy that Macheda has chosen Sampdoria and I think it's the same for the fans .

UPDATE: According to Chris Burton at Sky Sports News, Manchester City have finally completed the signing of striker Edin Dzeko. Dzeko has signed a four-and-a-half year deal with the club.

January 7th, 2010: According to Stuart Brennan at the Manchester Evening News, the deal for Edin Dzeko has been delayed due to a work permit and contract issues between Dzeko and Man City.