United in news

Andy Cole blasts Manchester United for failing to sign Fernando Torres (David McDonnell, The Sun)

"We all make mistakes and not signing Torres was one, because I've spoke to several of the current United players about him and they all say the same thing: 'Top, top player'. More.

Manchester United v Everton classics: Sportsmail remembers four famous matches from the past between the English giants (Nick Metcalfe, Daily Mail)

Manchester United play Everton on Saturday evening at Old Trafford, in a match between two of the 'Big Five' as some of us still refer to mentally at times. (Apologies folks, but I still struggle to think of Chelsea as a bigger club than Everton or Tottenham Hotspur). More.

Banned - but Sir Alex Ferguson will still be in the dugout when Manchester United tackle Everton (Daily Mail)

The Football Association have confirmed Ferguson's two-match touchline ban does not start until 14 days after the disciplinary panel hearing, which was held last week. More.

Phil Neville will never go blue (Sky Sports)

He said: "Joining City is not something that will ever happen. When you have got red blood you cannot see yourself with blue blood. You go there and they have blue ketchup... it's just like 'What are they doing?'. More.

Three days left to cast your banner vote

Supporters have three more days to vote on which of three new banner designs should adorn the Stretford End.

Fans' organisation Stretford End Flags wants its backers to vote by 20:00 on Sunday.

United fans from across the world were challenged to come up with a new design and SEF has shortlisted three. Anyone who has donated to the group can vote on the best one via the SEF forum here.

Here they are.

A SEF spokesman said: "This new banner is likely to replace the existing FEAR banner and will possibly be taken from the Edge of The Flowers banner to the edge of the Scoreboard.

"As a result, the banner is likely to cost in the region of £650 to make, so all donations are gratefully received.

"You can donate by sending a paypal donation to stretfordendflags@hotmail.com"

Voting ends at 20:00 on Sunday and SEF will then announce the winning design, which will be put up by mid December.

Fulham ticket information due

In the next few days, the ticket office will publish information about how to apply for tickets to see United take on Fulham on December 18.

For last season's league game at Craven Cottage, United got 2,931 tickets out of a capacity of 25,500.
They cost £47 for adults, £34 for over 65s and £19 for under 16s.

This season, it is expected that the allocation will be 2,911 and tickets will cost £49 for adults, £38 for over 65s and £22 for under 16s, making Fulham the only Premier League club to increase prices from last season.

Both the home and neutral ends are sold out but it's worth keeping an eye on Seatwave, as it has been selling neutral end tickets for just above face value in the last few days.

If you're planning on going to the game, you can buy your train tickets now and save £10.40 on the buy-on-the-day price. Details here.

A full travel and pub guide will appear here in the next few days.

United in the news

Rio out until New Year (Neil Custis, The Sun)

The England centre-back has been told he needs another six weeks of rest and physio work before his back will be strong enough for Premier League football. More.

Agents over-protecting 'fragile' modern players, says Sir Alex Ferguson (Paul Hayward, The Guardian)

Speaking at a League Managers Association dinner to honour the 14 surviving coaches who have presided over 1,000-plus league games, Ferguson accused agents of "conducting most transfers now". More.

Foster's England dream will delight The Boss (Andy Cole, The Independent)

I haven't specifically talked to Foster or Sir Alex about the issue, but I do know from years of experience that The Boss is always delighted to have players who are hungry to play. More.

Vidic boost for United after defender returns to action in Serbia stroll (Daily Mail)

The 28-year-old was given the green light to play 70 minutes in this afternoon's World Cup warm-up against South Korea at Craven Cottage. More.

Ruud van Nistelrooy issues come and get me plea to Spurs and Manchester City (Daily Mail)

Reports in Spain say Spurs and City are both watching the former Manchester United player's developments with interest. More.

Check for West Ham tickets now

Red who applied for tickets to see United play at West Ham on Saturday, December 5, are advised to check if they have got them.

The club said they will publish ballot results on Friday, but they are usually released two days before that.

United have got 2,900 tickets priced at £45 for adults, £25.50 for over 65s and £22.50 for under 16s.

Home end tickets are on general sale. Details here.

Click here for a full travel and pub guide.

United in the news

Dzeko rules out United switch (The Sun)

Edin Dzeko has ruled out a switch to Manchester United by insisting he wants to join AC Milan next season. More.

Manchester United's Nemanja Vidic insists he is 100 per cent fit and back to his best (Julian Bennetts, Daily Telegraph)

Nemanja Vidic says he is back to his best after shaking off a series of injuries that he believes have stopped him from hitting top form this season. More.

Manchester United captain Gary Neville's elite referee claims rubbished by Jeff Winter (Rob Stewart, Daily Telegraph)

Former Premier League referee Jeff Winter has hit back at Manchester United skipper Gary Neville's calls for the biggest games to be reserved for "a few elite officials". More.

United affront! Gary Neville needs to take off his red-tinted specs and let referees get on with the job (Graham Poll, Daily Mail)

What Neville really wants is for referees to stop making mistakes which he perceives as costly to United; what he fails to see is that he is so ensconced with the champions that his red tinted spectacles are giving him a very one-sided view. More.

Ferguson set for defeat over referee demands (Ian Herbert, The Independent)

Manchester United's demands for fitter, elite referees to officiate in top fixtures are destined to be rejected, with the football authorities satisfied that the current regime does not need improving. More.

Nemanja Vidic: Rio Ferdinand is a great player and he'll bounce back for Manchester United (David Maddock, Daily Mirror)

Nemanja Vidic has dismissed claims Rio Ferdinand is over the hill. More.

Save £10.40 on your Fulham train tickets now

On Saturday, December 19, kick off 15:00, United face Fulham at Craven Cottage in the Premier League.

If you were to buy your train tickets on the day, it would cost you £66.40 for an off-peak return from Manchester Piccadilly to Euston (and then extra for a Tube ticket to the ground).

But if you book now via the National Rail website, it will cost you £56.

On the way there, any train that leaves before 10:35 will cost £28 one way.

On the way back, the services that leave Euston at 18:00 and 18:20 also cost £28 one way. Book now.