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Paper Round-up

That sinking feeling…of a Brazilian wonderkid

Following a quiet couple of weeks, everything seems to have exploded into action, with United now occupying every back page in the country.

Let’s start with the Guardian, where David Conn follows yesterday’s piece with a more in-depth analysis of the Glazers’latest plan by putting the Americans under the microscope yet again.

“The plan,” writes Conn “leaves a sinking feeling,” and United fans should wait before getting carried away with hope as “United will be registered in the Cayman Islands and traded in New York, but will remain controlled by one US family. Investors will be invited to buy A shares in the Cayman Islands holding company. They will carry 10 times less the voting rights of the B shares the Glazers will issue to themselves. Also there is no plan to pay dividends to the investors. They are asked to buy shares to trade, perhaps on a daily basis, in the expectation their value will increase as Manchester United, described as ‘one of the world’s leading brands,’ further exploits its commercial potential.”

BBC‘s sport editor agrees with the Guardian, as he explains that, despite their new floatation plan, “the Glazers are here to stay” and “that in future the club will continue to be owned by Malcolm Glazer and his ‘linear descendants’ – namely his five sons and one daughter.”

The Sun, as per usual, has a completely different, if more simplistic, view on the matter claiming that the proposed floatation on the New York Stock Exchange could offer Fergie the chance to “splash out”.

The tabloid also reports that Darren Fletcher is no nearer to a first team return and that Fergie fears the 28-year-old might never be fully fit again.

In transfer news, the Mirror and the Daily Mail both claim that United are determined to beat Real Madrid and Chelsea in the race to the signing of Sao Paulo wonderkid Lucas Moura, with both papers confirming that the 19-year-old Brazilian would cost in the region of £35m but that United are trying to secure a cheaper price.

Curiously, neither the Mirror nor the Mail point out at United’s dreadful traditions when it comes to signing Brazilian midfielders as both Kleberson and Anderson have been largely unsuccessful at the club.

Anderson might leave Old Trafford though, with the Mail reporting that Benfica are interested in signing the former Porto playmaker and that United could use the Brazilian as makeweight to snap up Axel Witsel, who’s also a target for Chelsea and Real Madrid.

And finally, the Mail strikes yet again dropping the bombshell of all bombshells claiming that United are ready to surprise rivals Manchester City and move for Robin Van Persie, after the Dutch striker revealed he won’t sign a contract extension with Arsenal.

In truth the paper has virtually nothing to back this theory up, as the article is a mere word-by-word report of Van Persie’s quotes, but it might get United fans dreaming for a while.

Dan (@MUFC_dan87)