As the season kicks into life, a new chapter begins at Old Trafford. The exit of talisman Cristiano Ronaldo and the defection of Carlos Tevez to the blue half of the city has left space for a hero to emerge.
So often the support act to the Portuguese superstar, Wayne Rooney must now take top billing at the Theatre of Dreams. No longer will the England man be shunted to the wilderness on the left of midfield, centre stage is now his to claim.
Manchester United’s pre-season preparations will have been dented with the news that promising defender, Rafael da Silva, has dislocated his shoulder.
The blossoming Brazilian emerged as an exciting prospect last season due to a series of scintillating games on the big stage, including an influential cameo appearance versus Arsenal at Ashburton Grove, where United were losing 2-0 but Rafael took control of the closing stages and looked to spark a comeback as he hit a powerful strike to reduce the deficit to 2-1.
Manchester United today won their second match of their pre-season tour of the Far East, and new signing Michael Owen was again on the scoresheet as a Malaysian XI were dispatched 2-0 at the Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpar this afternoon.
United boss Alex Ferguson fielded an entirely revamped side for the club’s second game against a Malaysian XI inside three days, with Owen named in the starting line-up for the first time in his Old Trafford career.
A virtual unknown, even in his home country of Brazil, prior to the 2008/09 season, rampaging right-back Rafael quickly served notice of a bright, bombarding future at Old Trafford…
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Manchester United stalwart Gary Neville has poured cold water on speculation suggesting he will be looking to leave his boyhood club during the summer in search of regular first-team football.
Persistent injury problems along with the emergence of Rafael da Silva have limited the 34-year-old to just a handful of appearances this season, which has reportedly given Middlesbrough the belief they might have a shot at attracting the hugely experienced defender.
Manchester United 