Manchester United news and links

From RTÉ Sport: “However, RTÉ sports editor Tony O’Donoghue claimed that the decision was far from mutual, and that Keane was forced out in what ammounted to a sacking. According to O’Donoghue, Keane turned up for a Manchester United reserve game last night only to be told that his services were not needed. When he enquired further he was told to take up the issue with Alex Ferguson, and following talks today, his exit was announced.”

Manutd.com: “Manchester United has today reached agreement with Roy Keane for Roy to leave the Club with immediate effect.”

From manutd.com: “Manchester United is delighted to announce that it has agreed terms with Cristiano Ronaldo of a further two years to his current contract. This will keep Ronaldo at the club until June 2010.”

Applications due Monday 28th November through to 5pm on Tuesday 29th November.

Applications due Monday 28th November through to 5pm on Tuesday 29th November.

Nick Harris in the Independent: “Since 17 May, when Glazer’s stake ticked past 75 per cent of the club, giving him the power to do what he pleased with United, he has removed 23 non-playing staff, including senior executives. Two people volunteered to go, one took early retirement and 20 were forced into redundancy.”

From manutd.com: “Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed that the unrelenting resolve to make his United comeback stems from the support he has received every day from his team-mates, the manager, the club and the fans.”

15-year-old attacking midfielder Daude Massude joins the Academy according to Planet Football.

The Guardian: “Manchester United are so determined to sign Michael Ballack that they are willing to make him the highest-paid player in the Premiership’s history, with an annual salary in excess of £6m.”

Applications due Monday 14th November through to 5pm on Tuesday 15th November.

Applications due in from Friday 4th November until 5pm on Thursday 10th November. We have received an allocation of approximately 3,500 tickets the majority of which are priced £16.00 and the remainder £18.00.

No mention of Keano on manutd.com’s “What The Papers Say” - they obviously read different newspapers to the rest of us…

Daniel Taylor in the Guardian: “Manchester United’s season went from bad to worse last night when Roy Keane castigated his team-mates in an interview so explosive that Sir Alex Ferguson and his chief executive David Gill immediately banned it from being shown on the club’s in-house television station.”