Chicharito and Ferguson inspires online scouting venture

Sir Alex Ferguson has inspired an online scouting venture.

Manchester United ace Chicharito came on to Ferguson's radar after he saw clips of him playing online.

The Mexican magician is now one of United's best players and that inspired Celtic legend Joe Miller to launch his new business venture viascout.com.

He told the Scottish Sun: "It's something I'm really passionate about. Players like Chris Smalling, Owen Hargreaves and Chicharito were all picked up through the web.

"I know that story from Sir Alex. He sent his scout to Mexico for a month and told him 'Don't come back without him'.

"The technology is there so the time is right to take advantage of it.

"There are kids out there. clubs just don't have the resources to send people to watch them.

"If we get these kids' details out there then clubs can tap into it. The prospect of finding a kid like Hernandez through our site has to be the dream."

Rooney credits stunning form to hair plugs!

Wayne Rooney admits his hair plugs have boosted his form!

Rooney believes he's feeling more confident about himself with a full head of hair.

"I’ve spent more time looking in the mirror," he said. "I’m sure some of you are going bald, so you know it’s a bit stressful. I made a decision to get it done. I thought, 'Why not?'"

It almost sounded like he’s more in touch with his feminine side.

"I’m not Ronaldo," he quickly replied.

Man Utd defender Evans happy to take No6 shirt

Jonny Evans is happy to take the No6 shirt.

With Wes Brown opting to end his lifelong association with United and sign for Sunderland in the summer, the shirt that has also been worn in the past by Gary Pallister suddenly became vacant.

Skipper Nemanja Vidic was not keen to give up his number 15, so after due consideration, Sir Alex Ferguson opted to pass the shirt on to Evans.

It was not a decision the Northern Ireland international had to think about. Then again, it was not one he attached any particular significance to either.

"I am not superstitious at all," he said. "It doesn't bother me.

"I got a phone call one day and they said the manager wanted to know if I wanted the number six shirt.

"I said: 'Why not?' It's more of a defender's number than 23 and looks a bit nicer. Tom Cleverley's got 23 now and I'm sure he'll take good care of it.

"But I am sure the manager doesn't really think about stuff like that - and I don't either. I don't have anything like that going on in my head."

Juventus tell Man Utd they can sign Krasic in January

Juventus chiefs are ready to sell winger Milos Krasic.

The former CSKA Moscow midfielder was Juve's most expensive signing last summer, but has failed to convince new coach Antonio Conte and is now on trial to the January market, says Gazzetta dello Sport.

Chelsea made an enquiry after Krasic on the weekend and will now be encouraged to bid for the midfielder in January should he fail to win over Conte in the coming months.

Krasic is also admired by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who seriously considered him as a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo 12 months ago.

'Chelsea's squad is too old' and 'Arsenal have gone backwards' - Rene Meulensteen writes off rivals' title hopes

Manchester United first team coach Rene Meulensteen insists that the defending Premier League champions fear none of their potential title rivals, all but writing off the challenge of Andre Villas-Boas' Chelsea.

The Dutchman also claimed that neither Arsenal or Liverpool currently have what it takes to remove the trophy from Old Trafford.

"We are not afraid of anyone at all," Meulensteen told the Daily Star.

"[Manchester] City are still a big rival. But Arsenal have gone backwards, Liverpool are still in a stage of rebuilding and Chelsea have just made one major signing in Juan Mata.

"Besides, Chelsea's squad is too old, and their tempo is not high enough to win the Premier League."

Despite the big spending of local rivals City, Meulensteen also maintained that his side's experience in competing for honours year in, year out would give them a decisive edge.

"City have made very good signings, but we have something they don't possess. We know what it takes to win trophies," he said.

The 47-year old, who has progressed from a youth coaching position to the first team via the reserves, lauded United's crushing 8-2 win over Arsenal but expressed sympathy for Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.

"Our win over Arsenal was something special," he said.

"Their squad has lost a lot of quality with [Cesc] Fabregas and [Samir] Nasri's departures. It's as though nothing is going right for Arsene Wenger right now."

Chicharito: Man Utd whizkids make me feel like old man!

Javier Hernandez admits Manchester United's kids are making feel old - at just 23 years of age!

In the 8-2 demolition of Arsenal last weekend, Sir Alex fielded David De Gea (20), Chris Smalling (21), Phil Jones (19), Tom Cleverley (21) and Danny Welbeck (20).

Chicharito told MUTV: "Many of our players are between 19 and 21 years of age, then me, [Jonny] Evans and Ando [Anderson] are 23 so we feel older!

"The younger players run a little more and want to show why they are in the team, and that can only be good for us.

"But it’s great because there are other players here with lots of experience too."

Ferguson earns Premier League gongs for August

Sir Alex Ferguson has been named the Manager of the Month.

Defending champions Manchester United have won all three games, including the remarkable 8-2 home victory against Arsenal.

The Scottish tactician is no stranger to the award and becomes Barclays Manager of the Month for an unprecedented 26th time in his distinguished career.

The decisions were made by the Barclays Awards Panel that includes representatives from football's governing bodies, the media and fans.

Fletcher admits mystery virus was nightmare experience

Darren Fletcher admits his mystery virus this summer was a nightmare experience.

The 27-year-old — who has yet to feature for United this season — will skipper Scotland against the Czech Republic at Hampden today.

And he admits he's been to hell and back in a bid to get fit.

Fletcher said: "I had a bad virus, a stomach infection.

"The biggest thing was the weight loss. I lost close to a stone which for someone like me — I don't have a stone to lose — was massive.

"That was the biggest thing, building my strength back up and putting my weight back on was a real struggle.

"I was stuck in bed for two weeks.

"But I had constant reassurance from the doctor that it was a bit of bad luck, a combination of different things that had a domino effect which set me back.

"I am a positive person so I expected to be back the next week, then it was a week later, and then I thought the next week.

"I just had to eat as much as I could to try to put it back on but even that is a struggle for me.

"I just ate as much as I could, protein shakes, meal replacements drinks."

Keown convinced right-back role will only benefit Smalling

Former Arsenal and England defender Martin Keown was impressed by Manchester United fullback Chris Smalling last night.

Smalling caught the eye on debut in England's victory against Bulgaria.

Keown told the Daily Mail: "Playing out at right back will benefit Chris Smalling. He will see more of the ball and that will help him develop technically and tactically.

"It is not easy for a player who is essentially a central defender but he looked fine. It’s also great for the manager because he’s got a centre half who can cover at right back. Perfect for tournament football."

Davide Petrucci completes remarkable comeback making Man Utd Champions League squad

Davide Petrucci has made Manchester United's Champions League squad list.


The former AS Roma junior was out for over a year with injury, but made his return towards the end of last season.


The United squad on UEFA.com includes 10 names on 'Player list B' which is for younger squad members - others eligible for this list can be added up to 24 hours before a fixture.


Goalkeepers: David De Gea, Tomasz Kuszczak, Anders Lindegaard, Ben Amos*, Sam Johnstone*.


Defenders: Patrice Evra, Phil Jones, Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling, Nemanja Vidic, Fabio*, Rafael*, Sean McGinty*.


Midfielders: Anderson, Ryan Giggs, Ji-sung Park, Michael Carrick, Nani, Ashley Young, Tom Cleverley, Darren Fletcher, Antonio Valencia, Darron Gibson, Matty James*, Davide Petrucci*.


Forwards: Michael Owen, Dimitar Berbatov, Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez, Danny Welbeck*, Federico Macheda*, Mame Biram Diouf, Will Keane*.


* Indicates player is on list B.