Manchester United news and links

Some old quotes… Yet Queiroz will remain a key member of Ferguson’s regime. “He relates to all the players but Carlos is more of a manager than a coach,” said Quinton Fortune this summer. “It is like we have two managers. We’ve got Mike Phelan for the coaching; Carlos is like the Gaffer.”

James Lawton in The Independent: Cantwell had a dream. It was of a game where everyone fought for improved training techniques in a drive to enhance performance, where footballers behaved like professional men and were given the respect, and the rewards, that were their due.

“4-4-2″ cries Matt Dickinson in The Times: “Now Keane is out … 4-4-2 would bring Rooney into the middle, where he is at his most potent, and save Ruud van Nistelrooy from having to chase his own flick-ons. There is Park Ji Sung, as well as Giggs, to come in on the left wing.

Lille away applications accepted Monday 19th September through to 5pm on Monday 26th September.

A wistful Kevin McCarra in the Guardian.

Jaap Stam interviewed in The Independent: ‘I don’t regret writing my book. It was never my intention to upset anyone and I don’t think it was brutal’

Applications due Monday 26th September through to 5pm on Tuesday 27th September.

From The Mirror: Crowds on slide as fans stay away. Premiership attendances have fallen from an average of 35,008 in the 2003-4 to 33,892 last season.

Ryan Giggs in the Independent: As he approaches his 32nd birthday, Ryan Giggs talks to Sam Wallace about the mellowing of Sir Alex Ferguson, his difficult relationship with his father, and adjusting to life as a squad player at Manchester United.

Ruud interviewed in The Times: “I would see fans and they would say, ‘Ruud don’t leave’ and I would tell them, ‘Don’t worry’. But some maybe thought I was just saying it. That is why I had to get a clear statement out there. I am genuine and it is important to me that the fans know I am loyal. That interraction is important.”

Supporters group starts “real prices for real fans” campaign

David Conn in the Guardian… Did anybody notice, after Michael Owen turned up at St James’ Park for £16m and the final batch of players completed their moves, that football’s transfer window closed this time without the one chink we had come to rely on to shine some light inside? Manchester United, who had been publishing details of all payments they made to agents when signing players, have now, since Malcolm Glazer’s takeover, stopped doing it.

Absolutely top drawer editorial from the Red Issue archives.

A long interview with Ryan Giggs in The Guardian, covering Chelsea, FC United and Rio’s contract.

From th e Observer: The Premier League is on a collision course with Europe’s competition authorities after refusing to change the way it sells its television rights. ITV, the BBC and other broadcasters are hoping a change will end BSkyB’s stranglehold over live matches.

Ticket information for Sunderland v Manchester United, Stadium of Light, Saturday 15th October, kick off 3pm.

Oliver Kay in The Times: OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER, the Manchester United forward, appears to be losing the battle to save his career after suffering yet another setback in his recovery from the horrific knee injury that has kept him out of action since the FA Cup Final victory over Millwall in May 2004.

Patrick Barclay in the Telegraph: Having an exceptional memory has greatly enriched my enjoyment of life. I have always had excellent recall of places, incidents, detail. But when I think of Cardiff I always want to forget it.