Benzema: United keep trying to sign me

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Karim Benzema claims Manchester United have tried to sign him "for the past three or four seasons".
Benzema, 24, transferred to Real Madrid from Lyon for £25 million in 2009 having been strongly linked with a move to Premier League side United.
Speculation has continued to suggest the Red Devils have a maintained interest in the France international, and Benzema has confirmed those rumours.
He is quoted as saying in the Sun: "The rumours about my future are common, every summer it's the same that I will be going to this club and that club.
"But I am very happy at Real Madrid and the thought about leaving has never crossed my mind. I know Manchester United have tried to sign me for the past three or four seasons.
"When I was at Lyon they and a number of other English clubs wanted me but could not agree terms with Lyon. Besides, I wanted to go to Spain and I can honestly say I have never regretted that decision.
"I'm still young and I have a contract at Madrid until 2015. I still want to achieve things at the club. I have had a taste of success after winning the Spanish title but I want more."
While Benzema is currently content at La Liga champions Real, he admitted he could one day consider a switch to the Premier League.
He added: "I would never say never about coming to England and, to be honest, I have no real preference in terms of teams. But that is a long way in the future, not something I would even consider at the moment."

Ryan reflects on changing times

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"Now we’ve got Carrington and all the development going on there. Sports science is also taking on a bigger place in football and lots of things have changed. The one thing that remains, it seems, is good football."
- Jim Ryan


After more than two decades of distinguished service at United, Jim Ryan spoke exclusively to ManUtd.com about entering retirement.
The 67-year-old has vacated his final post as director of youth football but is still eager to track the progress of the young footballers he has left behind.
Are you looking forward to retirement? Yes, but I think there’s mixed feelings about it. Generally speaking, a football life is a good life so I’m giving up a lot of enjoyable things.
Is it a wrench to be leaving? I guess so but everybody has to retire at some time.
So you’ll miss the job? 

Japan boss backs Kagawa

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"I know Shinji will need results to be deemed a success at Manchester United. But I fully expect to congratulate him three years from now because he clearly has the mental strength and the technical ability to make it there."
– Alberto Zaccheroni


Japan boss Alberto Zaccheroni is confident Shinji Kagawa has what it takes to become a top player for United.
Kagawa is set to complete his move from Borussia Dortmund in the next few weeks, once he passes a medical and obtains a work permit.
He will become United’s first-ever Japanese player and Zaccheroni believes the midfielder can handle the responsibility.
The Italian said: "I haven't offered him my congratulations yet. I've only said to him 'good luck' because this is just the start for him. I know he'll need results to be deemed a success at Manchester United.
"But I fully expect to congratulate him three years from now because he clearly has the mental strength and the technical ability to make it there."
Kagawa himself is yet to comment on the proposed transfer, but Zaccheroni says it augurs well for Japanese football.
"I know he doesn't want to talk about it, but I also think it's an issue you can't ignore either," he said. "I think his transfer is great not only for himself but for all football in this country.
"I've been in Japan for almost two years now and in that short period of time, two players have signed with the biggest clubs in the world – [Yuto] Nagatomo went to Inter and now Kagawa to United. It's proof the Japanese are developing players the right way."