Blackpool signing Bojan Djordjic: I have only myself to blame for wrecking Man Utd dream

Blackpool signing Bojan Djordjic says he has only himself to blame for not making the most of his chance at Manchester United.

Now 29, Djordjic is back in England hoping to make amends at Blackpool.

"It has taken me a long time to come to terms with what happened at United, "Djordjic told the Mail on Sunday. "I was 17 and people were expecting big things. I wish I'd worked harder. I wasn't lazy but I didn't go the extra mile. If we were running, I'd be happy to coast in the middle of the group rather than to try to get to the front, to make myself fitter. I rarely missed a chance to go out and hit the bars and clubs.

"I was a hot-head. I'd shout at any of them, Roy Keane or whoever, if they gave me a bad pass."

His lowest moments came when he twice walked out of training.

"Mike Phelan and Choccy (Brian McClair) would be in charge and they'd deliberately not award fouls against me to try to toughen me up," he said.

"I wouldn't have any of it and on a couple of occasions, I stormed off the pitch to the changing rooms in the middle of training.

"After a few steps, I'd already be terrified and think, 'Oh God, what am I doing'. But my pride wouldn't allow me to turn around. I'd carry on walking, get my stuff and drive off. I'd have to go into Sir Alex Ferguson's office the next day for a lecture and to get fined. I am not proud of it.

"I was so impatient back then. I'd be picked in the squad and sulk if I didn't make the bench. It was ridiculous, I should have appreciated being at the biggest club in the world."

Ferguson: Sneijder has Man Utd contract offer on table

Sir Alex Ferguson says the ball's in Wesley Sneijder's court over whether he wants a move from Inter Milan.

Throughout United's pre-season tour of North America, Ferguson has consistently rejected any talk that Sneijder is set to leave Inter Milan.

"If he wants to come, he must accept our contract offer.

"If not we have other options in mind. We are done talking," Ferguson is reported as saying by the Mail on Sunday.

Six clubs chasing released Man Utd midfielder Hargreaves

Six clubs are battling for freed Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves.

The Daily Star Sunday says the former England and Manchester United star has gone to extraordinary lengths as he looks for a club, posting YouTube videos of his training regime.

West Bromwich Albion are one of the clubs in the hunt but assistant manager Michael Appleton has revealed the chasing pack is growing.

Appleton said: “There are about five or six clubs linked with him, so it’s a bit of a ­complicated one.

“Whoever has a look at him – be that West Brom, Wolves, Blackburn or whoever – the lad’s hardly played for four years.

“He was an outstanding talent before his injury, so whoever it is, I would imagine they would have to look at him for a few weeks before making a decision.”

Ferguson: We wanted Jones when he made Blackburn youth debut

Sir Alex Ferguson admits they were keen to sign Phil Jones when he was a junior player.

United paid £16.5million to snap up England Under-21s star Jones from Blackburn Rovers in the summer.

Ferguson said: “He was first identified when he played for Blackburn’s youth team against us a couple of years ago, when they beat us 3-0.

“He was absolutely magnificent. I phoned Sam Allardyce the next week to speak to him about the boy and he said Phil was the best young player he’s ever had.

“We kept our eyes on the situation and obviously in the season just gone we managed to get him.”

Ferguson admits Chicharito may not play for another month

Sir Alex Ferguson says they'll take their time with Javier Hernandez's recovery from his head injury .

Chicharito is not expected to return for three to four weeks.

“Javier's coming back with us to England – he's fine,” Ferguson said after their victory over Barcelona. “He won't play for a couple of weeks, but that was always going to be the case because of his participation in the Gold Cup, and don't forget he played in the World Cup last summer.

“He was always going to get a break until he did his proper pre-season. In a two-week period now he'll do some training but he won't play – we'll have him back in three to four weeks.”

Stopper Amos considers Old Trafford future

Ben Amos has Anders Lindegaard and £18m signing David De Gea from Atletico Madrid ahead of him in the pecking order for the number one jersey with the Reds.

Sir Alex Ferguson has given him the opportunity to make two appearances on their pre-season tour of North America, but Premier League outings are looking unlikely.

"It is a decision like you would not believe," said Amos.

"It is one of the hardest decisions I have had to make and I am still thinking about it now. I do see an opportunity there.

"If I perform to the right level, anything can happen. The manager could throw me in. At the same time, I am risking not getting the game time I desperately need. I am weighing up the options and we will see what happens."

Amos is scheduled to have a meeting with United goalkeeping coach Eric Steel on his return from America to discuss his future.

Shakhtar Donetsk face having to sell Man Utd target Douglas Costa

Shakhtar Donetsk face the prospect of having to cash in on Douglas Costa in the coming weeks.

Manchester United, Manchester City and AS Roma have all asked after Douglas Costa, confirmed his agent this week.

Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucecu concedes: “Nothing official has been done yet, but I’d prefer to keep him in the squad because he is young, only 20 years old, and had a great start to his time with us.

“We’ll be playing in the Champions League and he has a group of Brazilians in Donetsk with him.

“However, if I am put in a position to sell, then there’s nothing I can do about it. I won’t keep players who do not want to be here, but Douglas Costa is certainly a great talent.”

Scholes: Man Utd do not need to replace me - I have been passenger for 5 years

Paul Scholes feels Sir Alex Ferguson doesn't need to buy a replacement for him.

Scholes hung up the boots at the end of last season.

He told the Manchester Evening News, "I don’t think it is a big deal really replacing me because I haven’t been the type of player people are talking about for the last four or five years. I haven’t been scoring goals or been the main playmaker in the team for a while. I don’t think I actually need replacing in that way at all.

"I wasn’t the pulling the strings anymore, definitely in the last two years and probably even since I was 31-32. I haven’t been as prominent in the side. I wasn’t scoring the goals and I wasn't making the goals. I think people are obsessed with having to replace me.

"If you look at the facts over the last couple of years. I haven’t played in the big games. So I don’t think there is that much that needs replacing."

AIK chief coy over Man Utd interest for Teteh and Mohamed Bangura

AIK Solna are coy over Manchester United's interest in their strikers Teteh Bangura and Mohamed Bangura.

United chief scout Martin Ferguson will be in Sweden this weekend to see the pair in action against Elfsborg, says Expressen.

"We never comment on individual clubs that are here," said AIK sports director Jens Anderson. "It may be the clubs themselves do.

"But interest last Sunday was great and there will be a similar interest against Elfsborg."

Neville: I decided retirement call with Ferguson

Gary Neville says he decided to call time on his career last season after talking it over with manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Ferguson, says Neville, was the first person he went to when he started to think his 36-year-old body could not endure much more punishment.

"I’d had conversations with my wife and my mum and dad," he told the Daily Mail. "And I spoke to Scholesy and Ryan Giggs too, because we have shared most things over the last 20 years.

"But, professionally, the first person I spoke to was the manager. It’s how it works at United. If you have a problem, something you need to talk about, you go and see the manager.

"And I think I was in his office for about an hour and a half that day. He told me to go away and think about it, and sent me away on holiday.

"There’s never any problem with him in that respect. You can see him about anything. If you feel you have a crisis in your life he will make sense of it all. And he’ll look after you and make sure it is dealt with correctly.

"Sometimes in the media it is questioned, the way he protects his players. But they are his people. He looks after them."

Park feels his Man Utd move has finally been vindicated

Park Ji-sung believes his move to the club has been much more than a marketing ploy.

The former South Korea captain came to Old Trafford from PSV Eindhoven in 2005 and after a slow start has emerged as a consistent performer in the Premier League and Champions League.

Some cynics believe that the main idea to sign Park was to sell more shirts to a growing Asian market but the 30-year old knows it was much more than that.

"At first, some said I was selling T-shirts," said Park. "It didn't hurt. It was my first year and maybe they thought an Asian player could not perform in European football.

"I proved it was the wrong thing to think and I am delighted with that.

"I have proved I can play in European football.”

Man Utd can handle Ferguson retirement, insists Gill

Manchester United will be able to handle manager Sir Alex Ferguson's eventual retirement, says chief executive David Gill.

Fergie, who will celebrate his 70th birthday on New Year’s Eve, marks a quarter of a century as United boss in November.

Chief executive Gill says there have been no talks about a retirement date and no ­discussions about who will take over.

United were relegated within four years of Sir Matt Busby stepping down but Gill said: “There won’t be meltdown.

“I’ve said before we don’t know when Sir Alex will retire and long may he continue.

“What we’re trying to do is make sure we get the quality of the team and the age profile correct, so the new manager coming in – whoever that might be – has the nucleus of a world-class team.

“Clearly the new manager will have his own ideas and will want to change two or three players.

“But if he wants to change 12 or 13, he probably won’t be the right manager for Manchester United.”

Ferguson: Important Neville, Scholes remain involved

Sir Alex Ferguson says it's important for the club to keep retired pair Gary Neville and Paul Scholes involved.

He revealed that keeping former players at the club has now become a part of the Old Trafford culture.

Ferguson said: “I said to Martin Edwards a few years ago that we should really make use of our great former players and David Gill has embraced that idea really well by making a lot of them ­ambassadors of the club.

“There is no one better to have among players than coaches who have been involved in the most success the club has ever had.

“They put Bobby (Charlton) on the board and, although the likes of Nobby (Stiles) and Paddy ­(Crerand) were on the staff for a while, these things shouldn’t be short-term appointments.

“Bayern Munich is a perfect ­example. Rummenigge runs the club and there is also Uli Hoeness, Gerd Muller, Sepp Maier and general manager Christian Nerlinger.”

Fergie added: “I’m looking forward to working with Neville and Scholes.

“When Scholesy comes in at the end of August, I’ll ask him to work with the youth team and Academy. He will have a role to play after that.”

Scholes: Ferguson could have sold me in 2001

Paul Scholes has recalled the time he threw a wobbler and refused to play in a League Cup tie against Arsenal in 2001.

Next Friday, United’s fans will pay tribute to one of the greatest players to wear the famous red shirt when Eric Cantona’s New York Cosmos arrive at Old Trafford for Scholes’ testimonial.

But he recalled: “I don’t know why I did what I did in 2001, but it is something I really regretted doing. I wasn’t in a great mood, I suppose. I had been left out the Liverpool game the previous weekend and I knew that the team going down to play Arsenal in the cup was basically a reserve side.

“I just got a bee in my bonnet that I wasn’t happy with things. I thought to myself: ‘I’m not going’. It was a silly thing to do, I know that.

“I had my reasons but it was ­stupid really. I ended up getting fined and having to apologise.

“But I was lucky. The manager would have been well within his rights to get rid of me.

“I mean, someone refusing to play for his team. If he had moved me out I couldn’t have had any complaint.

“I think in all my time as a ­player there was probably only one other argument I had in the dressing room because I didn’t really say a lot.

“I would only open my mouth if there was something I really disagreed with – and that probably only happened once or twice.”

Carrick feels the years catching up on him

With Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Edwin van der Sar Michael all retired this season, Carrick has admitted he suddenly feels old inside the Manchester United dressing room.

He turned on Thursday and accepts the landscape at Old Trafford has changed.

"The dressing room is a little bit strange," he said.

"I certainly feel a bit older. It is good though. The energy and enthusiasm the younger lads bring is brilliant and training has been really good.

"The guys who have left are top players but we have to move on. We will certainly do that this season. Hopefully we can improve on what we achieved last year."

Scholes backing Welbeck to be latest Man Utd local hero

Paul Scholes is backing Danny Welbeck to be a local hero for Manchester United.

Scholes is willing the 20-year-old from Longsight to take on the mantle of the local lads at United.

“If anyone comes through I hope it is Danny,” Scholes told the Manchester Evening News.

“As a Manchester lad, I think it would be great for the club for Danny to do it. I think that local element is always good to have. It is a big year for him. He has had a good year up at Sunderland and he has also had one or two injuries that haven't helped him.

“But he needs to push on now and stake his claim. Everyone knows the talent is there. It is up to younger lads like him to do the business and make the manager take notice.

“For someone like him it is good to be at United and watch the top forwards we have. To be able to play with and study Wayne Rooney every day in training is fantastic.

“They have to learn from him and set about competing with him.”

Ferguson has scouts check on Benfica midfielder Nicolas Gaitan

Benfica midfielder Nicolas Gaitan is interesting Manchester United.

Record says United boss Sir Alex Ferguson had scouts posted to check on the Argentine in action against Trabzonspor this week.

Ferguson has been following Gaitan since his time at Boca Juniors.

The 23 year-old will be monitored by United this season leading up to the January transfer window.

Gill insists Berbatov has TWO years on current deal

David Gill insists they're happy with the contract situation of Dimitar Berbatov.

Even though United have the option to extend it by another year, the club's relaxed attitude to the situation and manager Sir Alex Ferguson's decision to leave him out of his squad for the Champions League Final in May, has placed a question mark over whether the English champions will exercise that option.

"He's not in the final year of his contract. People keep telling me that but there is an option to extend Dimitar's contract by another year, on the club's side.

"We can do it whenever we want to do it. There are no conditions around it. Everyone has been talking about Berbatov from the outside, saying he wants to leave or that we want him to leave, but we don't want him to go. We want him to stay.

"He scored over 20 goals last season, so there is no desire on our behalf to see him go. From our perspective he has, effectively, two years to go.

"There's no point in extending that option. We have until the end of the season, so we can assess how it goes, talk to him, see how he performs and see what happens.

"I've not had one conversation with Dimitar (about his future). There has been no correspondence in that respect.

"The decision Alex took was a decision he took for that particular game. It wasn't a decision taken with a view that we want Dimitar to go, because we don't."

Man Utd tracking Stabaek prospect Mikkel Diskerud

Manchester United are tracking Stabaek youngster Mikkel Diskerud.

The 20 year-old American is rated one of the most promising players in the Norwegian league.

Diskerud, who has chosen to play for America at international level despite having the option to play for home country Norway, has been on United's radar for over two years.

Sources in Norway suggest the club have been approached by two unnamed Premier League teams regarding Diskerud's contract situation.

Man Utd table £15M bid for Roma striker Vucinic

Manchester United have made an offer for AS Roma striker Mirko Vucinic.

The Montenegro international's agent confirmed United were in advanced talks for the centre-forward last night.

And La Stampa says this morning United have offered £15 million to Roma for Vucinic.

Juventus are also in talks for the striker, but do not have the spending power to match United.

Arshavin: Ferguson makes the difference at Man Utd

Arsenal ace Andrey Arshavin feels Sir Alex Ferguson is the difference between success and failure at Manchester United.

Ferguson is in his 25th year as manager of the Red Devils, having just won his 12th Premier League title to overtake Liverpool's overall haul of 18 with the club's 19th top-flight trophy.

Arshavin told Sport-Express: "First of all you have to ask Alex Ferguson about the secret of the victories.

"I think Manchester United have everything (to win) for 20 years - the players' quality, the team spirit and the psychology of winning.

"In the team one can discover the mixture of young and seasoned players and also Alex Ferguson's strictness in how he builds his team as he thinks it's important."

Rooney: Sneijder? I would take Seedorf!

Wayne Rooney is lukewarm over the prospect of Wesley Sneijder's arrival.

Inter Milan star Sneijder is a top target for United manager Sir Alex Ferguson as he seeks a replacement for the retired Paul Scholes.

However, on the front page of Gazzetta dello Sport this morning, Rooney declares: "Sneijder? I would have more fun with Seedorf!"

Rooney is a huge fan of AC Milan veteran Clarence Seedorf.

Owen: MLS-Allstars game special for Beckham

Michael Owen knows their clash with the MLS All-Stars will be special for David Beckham.

Owen knows the entire evening will mean more to LA Galaxy star Beckham given the decade he spent with the Red Devils before joining Real Madrid in 2003.

"We are all delighted he is playing," said Owen.

"It won't be the first time he has played against the lads but the club holds a special affection for him.

"He is a top player and it is nice to meet up again."

Rooney: Even at Everton I only wanted to play at Old Trafford

Wayne Rooney insists he's never seriously considered leaving Manchester United.

The United striker penned a new deal with United before Christmas after questioning the club's ambition.

But he told Gazzetta dello Sport: "I never thought of leaving Manchester United and England. I am very happy here and so is my family. I have no reason to leave.

"Old Trafford is a stadium that gives me the most beautiful feelings. Even when I was an Everton player, I was looking forward to playing away (there)."

Barcelona threaten Man Utd plans for Flamengo sensation Adryan

Manchester United face competition from great rivals Barcelona for Flamengo sensation Adryan.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been chasing the teen since before Christmas.

Fergie even attempted to take him to Manchester for a trial last April.

That move fell through, but Old Trafford representatives watched him again at the recent Under-17 World Cup in Mexico, and have now joined Barca in making contact with agent Rodrigo Pitta.

Pitta has confirmed talks have taken place, but warned interested parties must first agree a fee with Flamengo before more serious negotiations can begin.

Lindegaard wants to make life difficult for Man Utd boss Ferguson

Anders Lindegaard says he is determined to become the new number one at Old Trafford.

The 27-year old was understudy to the great Edwin van der Sar after arriving from Aalesund in January but now sees himself starting with the gloves despite the arrival of the highly-rated David de Gea from Atletico Madrid.

Lindegaard says he wants to make manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s matchday decisions very hard as he continues to prepare for his full season with the Red Devils.

"It's not about making the choice difficult for Sir Alex. For me, it's about being number one. That is what it's all about - playing. I enjoy competing and, so far, I feel very good,” he said.

"There is big competition in all the spots but, so far, I'm very satisfied with my own performances.

"I think I've played very well so I believe in my chance. If I didn't believe in my chance, how could I expect other people to?

"I'm not scared at all. I am very proud of representing Manchester United. It's the biggest dream in my career come true."

Berbatov to remain with Man Utd

Dimitar Berbatov will see out his contract with Manchester United says his agent.

The talented Bulgarian striker has been linked with an Old Trafford departure this summer despite scoring the equal most goals in the Premier League last season but it appears likely that he will stay in a Red Devils shirt following comments made by his representative Emil Dantchev.

"Berbatov away? I don't want to comment on what the newspapers write, these are just words,” he told tuttormercatoweb.

"There is only one truth: Berbatov is a Manchester United player... and he will not leave before the end of his contract.

"I repeat: Berbatov will stay at Manchester."

Owen teaching De Gea English - through Twitter

Michael Owen is helping David De Gea learn English - through Twitter.

The Manchester Evening News says language-wise De Gea will have Spanish speaking Patrice Evra and the Da Silva twins helping out in defence and whilst in America Owen spent time on United’s flight to New York from Chicago helping him to post a tweet on twitter in English!

The £17.8m Spanish goalkeeper made his debut for the Reds against Chicago Fire on Saturday.

Brown 'relieved' that United boss Fergie moved him on

Wes Brown has admitted it was a ‘relief’ when Sir Alex Ferguson sat him down at

the end of last season to tell him to move on from Manchester United.

Ahead of his Sunderland debut at Kilmarnock tonight, the defender, who spent 15 years as a professional at Old Trafford, revealed: ‘You sort of know what’s coming anyway. So in a funny kind of way it’s a bit of a relief when someone like Sir Alex sits you down and tells you how it is.

‘Sir Alex’s decision wasn’t a surprise. I think I’d got my head around it. We had a good chat and everything was fine. In a way, I think it meant we could both draw a line under things and move on.

‘It was a difficult decision to leave. It was really only this summer where things started to come to a head.’

Brown did not figure for United after he was substituted in the win over Bolton on March 19. There was an offer from Stoke, but Brown says the prospect of teaming up with so many former United players at Sunderland proved too strong.

‘A few clubs came in for me, but I spoke to Steve Bruce,’ he added. ‘I’ve known him for a long time and what he was saying about taking the club forward and the players he was bringing in showed the club’s ambition.'

Agent claims Vucinic in talks with Man Utd

According to the player’s agent, Roma striker Mirko Vucinic has held preliminary discussions with Manchester United over a move to Old Trafford.

The Montenegro international has been strongly linked with a move away from Roma this summer after five years in the Italian capital.

Alessandro Lucci says contact has been made with the Premier League champions over the 27 year old.

"The meeting with the leaders of Manchester United was yesterday," Lucci told lasignoraingiallorosso.it.

"It has only been a chat, in which no offers have been made nor was there an agreement sorted.

"The English club, however, really like Vucinic, but to see him with the shirt of the Red Devils, there is still work to do."

Berbatov reveals his laid-back approach hides a steely determination

Dimitar Berbatov is quick to refute the argument that his laid-back approach on the pitch means he does not care.

Berbatov shared the Premier League's Golden Boot prize with Carlos Tevez as United claimed a record 19th title yet, surprisingly he did not even manage a place on the bench for the Champions League final, a decision which is said to have devastated the Bulgarian.

Speaking exclusively to Press Association Sport, he was keen to set the record straight about his attitude to the game.

"I am a very proud person," said the 30-year-old.

"I don't like to show my weaknesses. I don't want to show my emotions in public.

"That is why people probably sometimes misjudge me."

Replacing the industry of Carlos Tevez did him no favours together with the fact Sir Alex Ferguson broke the club record by spending £30.75million for his services.

"Yes," he said, when asked if the claim he does not care bothers him.

"I always play like this. That is what got me here.

"You are not going to see me puffing around the pitch. There is a saying in Bulgaria that great quality doesn't require much effort."

Ferguson: Media cause me problems with FA

Sir Alex Ferguson believes he keeps getting into trouble with the FA because of the media.

Fergie reckons it is the media coverage that landed him in hot water.

Ferguson said: ”Personally I felt hard done by last season but it’s always difficult.

“I defend my club, but that’s my job. Part of the problem is that when I make comments, the media are on to the FA right away and there is no doubt about that.

“Then the FA feel forced to do something and they are afraid of what might happen if they don’t. ”

Chicharito: I grew up wanting to be Brazilian Ronaldo

Javier Hernandez admits he grew up idolising Ronaldo.

Chicharito says the 1998 Brazil team was one of the first he admired as a kid growing up in Mexico.

"I always wanted to emulate the Brazilian Ronaldo. I liked him very much and Brazil is one of the teams that always draw attention. Especially the one of the 1998 World Cup," said the striker.

"It was a super team which won many fans for their way of playing. Of course I did not like it when they lost the final (laughs)."

Barcelona coach Guardiola: Man Utd boss Ferguson is No1

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola insists Sir Alex Ferguson remains the best in the world.

Despite beating Manchester United in the Champions League final last season, Guardiola regards Sir Alex as the best in the business.

"For me, Ferguson is the number one," he said. "I cannot compare.

"I need to work a long time to have the same prestige."

Ferguson: Rooney will soon set locker room culture

Sir Alex Ferguson can see the club's culture being shaped by Wayne Rooney in the near future.

Ferguson says Rooney will now emerge as the club's major leader.

Ferguson told the People: "Gary [Neville] and Paul [Scholes] had the respect of the dressing room. But I can see Rooney becoming one of the elder statesmen now, he said. I can see Wayne accepting that role.

"He doesn’t worry about criticism or the responsibility too much and he has great energy. He’s hit the ground {running out here and he’s been doing really well in training.

"They all have but Rooney has been working his socks off."

Man Utd youth keeper Johnstone moves to Oldham

Following an injury to keeper Dale Connor, Oldham have moved quickly to sign Manchester United academy stopper Sam Johnstone on loan.

The England youth international Johnstone has been drafted in as temporary cover and will make his first appearance for the League One club against Burnley on Tuesday night before also appearing in Oldham's final warm-up game at Fleetwood on Saturday.

"Sam is very highly rated by United and we are delighted he is here to help us out," boss Paul Dickov told the club's official website.

United will sign one more player this summer, insists Gill

Manchester United expect to sign one more player before the end of the transfer window.

United are refusing to give up hope of bringing in Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder or Arsenal’s

Samir Nasri, and the club were on Tuesday linked with Palermo midfielder Javier Pastore — a Chelsea target — and Roma striker Mirko Vucinic.

United fear Nasri is bound for neighbours Manchester City, and although chief executive David Gill held talks with Inter officials and Sneijder's representatives earlier this month, negotiations stalled over the Italian club's £35million valuation as well as the player's personal terms.

Gill said: 'We are looking at one more player to bring in. We've been looking at a particular position and two or three players in that position.'

Brady: Man Utd coach Joyce convinced me about Hull switch

Robbie Brady is pleased to be on-loan at Hull City.

Brady remains part of United's plans for now.

It was again the advice of former City favourite Warren Joyce that helped sway Brady and he hopes he doesn't let the United reserve team coach down.

"I think Warren was more worried about his reputation here when sending me here!," joked Brady with the Hull Daily Mail.

"But I don't think I've had a bad start here so hopefully I can keep that going throughout the season.

"It came about quite suddenly but as soon as my United manager Warren Joyce said to me Hull were interested, that was it done for me.

"He asked me how I felt about going to Hull on loan but I think he already knew what the answer was.

"That was it. Done in a couple of days and I was here.

"I expected to go out on loan this season. When I came back from the summer I thought it might take a few weeks or so but I can't fault being here. It's like a home from home already."

Chelsea face late Man Utd competition for Pastore

Manchester United have joined the battle for Palermo midfielder Javier Pastore.

Pastore has been a long-term target for United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and now he is firming up his interest with Inter Milan pricing Wesley Sneijder out of a move.

La Repubblica says it is a two-way fight between United and Chelsea for the signature of the Palermo playmaker.

Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini expects a decision on Pastore this week.

Manchester United has made enquiries for Shakhtar Donetsk's Douglas Costa - agent

Napoli, Manchester United, and Manchester City have all expressed an interest in Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Douglas Costa, his agent Cesar Bottega said.

Back in June the 20-year-old, who has three years left on his deal with Shakhtar, said he was pleased after learning of an interest from Napoli and Roma, who were both linked with his services.

His five goals in 27 games for the Ukrainian side last term have not gone unnoticed across the European continent, and Bottega has now confirmed the Italian and Premier League clubs have been sniffing around.

"I have had some contacts with important teams in Italy, Spain and England. Manchester City and Manchester United have informed themselves [about the player]," Bottega said.

"There was an interest from Napoli after they qualified for the Champions League, but in the last few weeks I have not heard from anyone at Napoli."

Yet, despite the links with a transfer, Costa could still remain with coach Mircea Lucescu's squad even though any subsequent offer will be considered.

"The player is happy in the Ukraine and he gets to play Champions League football with one of the most important teams in Europe," added the agent.

"But, if an opportunity from an important league arrives then we will consider it."