Manchester United's Fletcher to train with Scotland

(Reuters) - Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher is a step closer to returning back to competitive football after it was confirmed he would train with the Scottish national team.

Fletcher has been sidelined by ulcerative colitis - an inflammatory bowel condition - and hasn't played for almost 10 months.

Scotland will face Australia in a friendly next Wednesday at Easter Road Stadium and while the 28-year-old has not been named by manager Craig Levein, it was confirmed he would link up with the national team.

"Darren will be with us at the weekend, he is back in training and he played 45 minutes in a practice match last week," Levein was quoted as saying by BBC Sport.

"He is not in the squad because he has not played for Manchester United but he will do a bit of training with us."

Fletcher's last appearance for Manchester United was November 22 last year during a Champions League match with Benfica.

In July, Reds manager Sir Alex Ferguson said Fletcher would be at great odds to even play again, but said the midfielder would be offered an alternative role at the Premier League club.

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Wilson quashes Cofie concerns

Sheffield United boss Danny Wilson has dispelled fears new signing John Cofie will miss the start of the season.

Cofie was withdrawn during the first half of Saturday's friendly success at Morecambe after aggravating a hip problem.

But Wilson insists the youngster, on loan from Manchester United, should be fit for this weekend's Capital One Cup tie with Burton Albion.

"John had a bit of a problem there before the game but it wasn't enough to leave him out," Wilson told the Sheffield Star.

"When he took a bit of a whack on it again we decided to take him off because there's no point in taking unnecessary risks. It's nothing serious though."

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Mancini doubts Van Persie will join City

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini appears resigned to losing out in the race to sign Robin van Persie this summer.

Along with local rivals United and Juventus, City are one of the clubs interested in Van Persie, who last month said he would not be signing a new contract with Arsenal. However, the prospects of the Holland international joining the Barclays Premier League champions now look remote with Mancini admitting he does not expect to have the player in his ranks next season.

The Italian was quoted as saying by various newspapers: "Van Persie? No, I don't think he will come here."

Van Persie's existing deal at Emirates Stadium expires next summer but Gunners manager Arsene Wenger is desperate for the prolific hitman, who enjoyed a stunning campaign last season, to remain at the club.

Van Persie won both Professional Footballers' Association and Football Writers' Association player of the year prizes in recognition of his 36-goal contribution for Arsenal in the 2011/12 season.
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Cole rejects contract rumours

Chelsea defender Ashley Cole has rejected rumours that contract talks over a new deal at Stamford Bridge have stalled amidst reports of a big-money move to Paris Saint-Germain

Cole's future has been the subject of speculation with the 31-year-old entering the final year of his Blues contract.

Reports suggested Chelsea had yet to open talks with Cole over a contract extension, with the player supposedly holding out for a deal worth £200,000 a week.

However, Cole took to Twitter on Sunday to dismiss talk of his pay demands and explain that talks have only just got under way.

The left-back wrote: "Contract talks have not stalled just started, and 200k are you for real, I'd never ask for that.

"Like I said before don't listen or always believe what media say they aint got a clue."
source : http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/cole-rejects-contract-rumours-171103439.html

United too good for Hibs

Dundee United went top of the fledgling Clydesdale Bank Premier League table as they eased to a 3-0 victory in their opening fixture, dominating the majority of the match against a below-par Hibernian team.

Johnny Russell's smart finish after only three minutes suggested Hibs were in for a long afternoon but despite commanding most of the play it took the hosts until 16 minutes from time to secure all three points. Jon Daly headed in a second before Michael Gardyne came off the bench to score in injury time.

The home side had a number of penalty shouts turned down and both Russell and Daly were guilty of missing decent chances in the second half before the latter wrapped up the points.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/united-too-good-hibs-142248565.html  :source

I would like to play in the MLS, Ronaldo says

MADRID (Reuters) - Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has raised the prospect of making the switch one day to play in Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States.

"If I can help to be a better soccer here I can help but I think they are great, they are in a good way," Ronaldo, a former world player of the year and soccer's most expensive signing, said in an interview with the MLS website (www.mlssoccer.com).

"I hope to come here to play one day," added the Portuguese, who signed a six-year contract with Real in June 2009 after the Spanish champions paid Manchester United around $130 million for his services.

Real are currently on a pre-season tour of the U.S. and play Mexican side Santos Laguna in Las Vegas later on Sunday.

source : http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/play-mls-ronaldo-says-154025579--sow.html;_ylt=Amav9JXoCjffTif_r_L53hkVYu0B;_ylu=X3oDMTRub2tnamd2BG1pdANMSVNUUyBTdG9yeSBMaXN0IFNwb3J0cyBNYWluIEFyY2hpdmUEcGtnAzMwZjY2OTM5LTVhZWQtMzllNi1hZWJmLTYwY2IxYzE5OWE3YgRwb3MDNgRzZWMDTWVkaWFTdG9yeUxpc3RUZW1wBHZlcgNmYWE3M2U3MS1kZjE0LTExZTEtYmVmZi02YzQ0MTBlOGRiNDU-;_ylg=X3oDMTF0M3RpdWJsBGludGwDZ2IEbGFuZwNlbi1nYgRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANsb25kb24yMDEyfG5ld3MEcHQDc2VjdGlvbnM-;_ylv=3

Man United held as Vidic returns

Nemanja Vidic featured for the first time in eight months as Manchester United were held to a 0-0 draw with Norwegian side Valerenga in Oslo.

Danny Welbeck twice came close as United dominated the first half, but Valerenga could have stunned United when Ahmed Suleiman headed just wide after a swift counter-attack.

Wayne Rooney cleared off his own line to deny the home side in the second half, with replays suggesting the ball may have been over.

United continued to spurn great chances as substitutes Javier Hernandez and Anderson both misfired late on.

Sir Alex Ferguson named a strong starting XI for his side’s match at a sold out Ullevaal Stadion, with Vidic starting his first game since twisting his knee during United’s Champions League match in Basel in December.

But it was a contest that look a while to reach full speed, with United dominating but not troubling the home defence.

United eventually opened Valerenga up when Welbeck exchanged a neat one-two with Rooney, but couldn’t get the ball from under his feet to shoot.

Looking to make amends, Welbeck came close with another effort moments later – forcing goalkeeper Lars Hirschfeld into a good save low to his right after the England striker let fly from 25 yards.

But as the half ended with a flourish, Valerenga crafted a chance of their own – only for Suleiman to head wide after a swift counter-attack had exposed Ferguson’s side.

Little changed after the break with United calling the shots, but Valerenga came closest breaking the deadlock when Chuma Anene’s shot was cleared off the line by Rooney – although replays indicated the ball may have crossed the line.

Shinji Kagawa’s introduction provided United with some added impetus, but even he was unable to change United’s fortunes in front of goal.

United could have won it when Antonio Valencia raced down the right wing and pulled it back to Hernandez, but the Mexican miscued his shot from close-range.

Anderson, another second half substitute, could have won it in injury time when he coaxed the ball towards the top corner – but it dipped the wrong side of the bar ensuring a goalless draw in the Norwegian capital.