Manchester United 3 v Manchester City 2.  Isn’t life great?  Somehow a win like today’s Charity Shield comeback of comebacks seems so much sweeter and so much more rewarding than if we had beaten them 4-0.  Nothing makes you feel better about your team, it’s prospects for the future and it’s overall makeup than an outstanding come from behind victory against a hated derby rival.

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Arrivals & Departures:

2011-12 is already stacking up as an interesting season for Manchester United.  After several years of very little spending or action in the off-season, Fergie has spent mucho dinero this summer in the hope that he can make his team younger and better.  In with the new, David De Gea, Phil Jones, Ashley Young and dare I forecast the possibility of Wesley Sneijder to come.  Only Liverpool has been as active in rebuilding their club as we have.

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With the retirement of United legend Paul Scholes at the end of last season, a gap has been left in the squad’s midfield. Admittedly the ginger prince did not find himself playing as many games in 2010-11 as he was used to in previous seasons, but even at 36-years-old he had the vision, creativity and guile to split a defence and pick a precision pass. Without the Salford born man for Sir Alex to call upon, a new playmaker is much needed, with three in particular linked with a move to Old Trafford this summer.

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Let me start by saying that this isn’t going to be a anger filled anti-Fergie tirade like the ones I have become famous for in the past.  Let’s just say that I may be in a small minority of fans who truly are not pleased with what has gone on this off-season with our transfer policies and actions.  And it’s time I had the forum to write about my concerns and discontent in the only way I know how, Grognard style.

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Manchester United confirm their squad for this summer’s tour of The United States.

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Originally Published – 09/06/11 by James (writtenoffside) - If various rumours are to be believed, John O’Shea is on the brink of leaving Manchester United to go to the Steve Bruce rescue centre for unfulfilled footballers at Sunderland in a three way deal that would see him accompanied by Wes Brown and Darron Gibson. Although it would be a shame to see the latter two go, I can fully understand that from all parties, it makes a lot of sense but having thought about it over the last 20 hours or so, I tend to feel that letting the big Irishman leave would be a rare mistake from Sir Alex Ferguson.  Continue reading

After all, that’s the question that is asked over and over again. Not just at Old Trafford, but at the Bernabeu, the Emirates, and a host of other places that aspire for European glory. Continue reading

The Reds players have been taking a well deserved break following the club’s 19th top flight title success, with the likes of Wayne Rooney splurging travel money in Barbados, however pre-season and the 2011/12 season are coming into focus. The club have announced that a three week tour of the United States will be a big factor in raising popularity for the club, but more importantly starting the players’ routine of building match fitness ahead of the first day of the season on 13th August away to West Brom.

The US tour starts on 13th July, with Sir Alex’s side playing against three MLS sides, an All-Stars select team and Barcelona in a re-run of the Champions League final. With the MLS season in full flow the opposition will be more match ready than the visitors, and will hopefully offer United a tough test in order to get the side back into the swing of things. A large squad will travel, and a number of fringe players should get a chance to shine and potentially stake their claim for a place in the manager’s plans for the season ahead. For you keen Reds fans with no definite holiday plans, United’s trip to the States give you the opportunity to get travel insurance and link football with a break, as following the team would allow for visits to Boston, Seattle, Chicago, New Jersey and Washington DC.

The side start with a game on the 13th against the New England Revolution at the Gillette Stadium, Boston, who are coached by ex-Liverpool player Steve Nicol. Boston is an expensive place to visit, and has one of the highest costs of living in the States, but has a plethora of things to see including a sports Trail tour, taking in the city’s sporting heritage.

The second game on tour sees the side taking on the Seattle Sounders a week later at CenturyLink Field. Seattle has a vibrant and notorious music scene, accompanied by the impressive Space Needle, making it a city with style and an excellent holidaying destination.

The fixtures start to come thick and fast as the Chicago Fire are the opponents on the 23 July, with the game being played at Toyota Park. The Midwestern city has a passion for all things sports, and is home to the Bulls basketball team and two Major League Baseball sides.

United take on the MLS All-Stars on 27th July, with the game to be played in New Jersey. The venue gives followers a glorious chance to travel into bordering New York City, with the many attractions of the Big Apple known to us all. The Maddison Square Garden is a must for any true sports fan.

The tour culminates with a clash against the European champions on 30th July, with the Reds looking for revenge in a fixture in the American capital Washington DC. The city offers a side range of things to see and do, with the Smithsonian Museum, national monuments and houses of government spectacular and interesting.

The Tour 2011 squad is provisional, subject to change in the event of training injuries:

Goalkeepers: Anders Lindegaard, Ben Amos, Sam Johnstone
Defenders: Rafael, Fabio, Nemanja Vidic, Jonny Evans, Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand
Midfielders: Michael Carrick, Nani, Anderson, Ryan Giggs, Ji-sung Park, Gabriel Obertan
Forwards: Mame Biram Diouf, Federico Macheda, Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen, Dimitar Berbatov, Ashley Young.

The following players will join the tour after their agreed leave time: Chris Smalling, Danny Welbeck, Tom Cleverley, David de Gea, Phil Jones, Javier Hernandez.

Gareth McKnight writes for Soccerlens.com.

Manchester United’s Academy annually compete in the Premier section of the Milk Cup over in Northern Ireland during the summer. This pre-season’s visit will see The Reds pitted against Zamora FC of Venezuela, Co. Tyrone and Hartlepool United.

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To quote famous American sportscaster Marv Albert, it has come down to this.

After 59 matches and more than 5,000 minutes of football, the last and most important match in Manchester United’s 2010/11 season is little more than 24 hours away.

Any season in which you win the Premier League title, and a record-breaking one at that, is a very good season, but one match stands between this campaign being just very good and it being great.

This current United side might be considered more very good than great alongside those that have come before it, but if they can topple the team considered by most as the world’s best tomorrow night at Wembley, there won’t be any question about the greatness of its accomplishments.

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