The Birley Files

Views on Football in general and Manchester United in particular

ROVERS WEBSITE EDITOR STEVE BIRLEY is a life long Manchester United 'nut' - he is also a journalist who writes on football, cricket and most other sports, for a number of publications - here he puts together article on his beloved Manchester United (as well as many other footballing matters - for example see the 10 best footballing quotes below the first item) -  that he has discovered on trawlings through the world wide web - here's the latest offering:

UPDATED ON Sunday August 8: (Aftre watching Rovers defeat Merthyr Town in the FA Cup the day before).

Rovers were poor against Street in midweek, so poor that a number of followers clearly feared for the side’s health in the following game – the FA Cup tie against a Merthyr Town side who comprised of almost all of the former Merthyr Tydfil team from last season’s Zamaretto campaign. Factor in the possibility that the team was still ‘learning’ to play without the influence of the now departed (to Tivvy Town) of David Steele and of course also lacking the injured Danny Jee, and the omens were not good for another lengthy, and profitable, FA Cup run. Rovers could not have been handed a tougher ask than taking on a Merthyr side who had scored goals from fun in their opening two Toolstation League Division One outings. Oh yes, and then also factor in Brian Cann in goal, possibly with a still-suspect back, Simon Hill having a dodgy neck that had needed corrective manipulation in midweek and James Ansell who, although not quite a broken toe, was suffering with something just as painful, ligament damage to a pinky! Oh yes and Danny Baily remains on the is-he-long-term-out-or-isn’t-he, injury list. However, the Rovers faithful need not have worried because after such an apparent (I say apparent as this particular scribe did not actually see the Street debacle for himself) midweek mauling, the simple truth was that this was to be one of the finest collective all-round efforts by the team for some considerable time. Okay the midfield is not so cultured or perhaps even as industrious as the one that ticked away week in and week out,  last season, but the back four, much maligned after Street, proved that it probably has no peer at this level. All four across the back, ‘new kid on the block’ Jake Wannell, the majestic Ben Mammola, the warrior, Simon Hill and the athletic, and talented, Shaun Goff, to a man, were on the top of their defensive games. With another warrior, a magnificent one too, Carl Cliff-Brown (who would surely run through a brick wall for the cause and do it again once the brick work had been pout back into place!!) leading the forward line with his usual panache and power this turned out to be a fabulous afternoon for Rovers followers. In the engine room we saw the sheer grit and tireless running of Paul Pocock, the artistry of Dean Stamp (and yes we did witness him tracking back and putting in challenges after his wonderful, and mighty clever, first half goal). And what else can be side of CAPTAIN FANTASTIC – Robbie Norrish, yes he is simply THE MAN – no one puts himself on the line more for the cause (actually Simon Hill runs him close for that particular honour me thinks!). James Ansell, arguably now the sides MR VERSATILE – or perhaps he should, be called the Jig Saw man for his ability to slot into any desired position for the team. Ian Patchett was called into the starting eleven and he ran his socks off for the cause (he also fired in a magnificent ‘goal’ that was sadly chalked off for an off-side – but what a strike!) – then, from the bench we saw Joel Hawes who so nearly scored a wonderful goal and gave us something fresh when he came on. George Rogers – subjected to a terrible challenge within minutes of being introduced, and Aaron Doble, a late swap for a tiring Ansell, both also played their parts. Whilst at the back OLD SAFE HANDS CANN (I am sure he will excuse the use of descriptives!), came and gathered the bal at every opportunity. Yes we had to put up with a delayed start and yes, there was bags of whinging from the visitors at every given opportunity but in this FA Cup, the fourteen players who pulled on the famous white shirt, did the supporters of the Club PROUD – boss Clive Jones can now go off on his richly deserved break, leaving the side in the very capable hands of Gary ‘Macca’ McCauley, for the game with Longdown and return refreshed from a sunny break to plot further progress in the FA Cup when, on August 28, we entertain the winners of the midweek replay at Radstock where South West Peninusula League Buckland Athletic are the visitors after the sides shared eight goals at Buckland at the first time of asking.

THE MANCHESTER UNITED PRE-SEASON GAMES IN AMERICA 2010 - If you have MUTV then you will be able to see the games which are  ; July 16: Manchester United vs. Celtic F.C. (7 p.m. ET, Rogers Centre); July 21: Manchester United vs. Philadelphia Union (7:30 p.m. ET, Lincoln Financial Field); July 25: Manchester United vs. KC Wizards (6 p.m. ET, Arrowhead Stadium) ; July 28: Manchester United vs. MLS All-Stars (8:30 p.m. ET, Reliant Stadium) and July 30: Manchester United vs. Chivas Guadalajara (Guadalajara, Mexico)

Darren Fletcher believes Chris Smalling can become a key player for Manchester United Football Club.  Sir Alex Ferguson agreed a fee in the region of £10million with Fulham for the defender in January, and he has now linked up with the Old Trafford squad. Midfielder Fletcher has been quickly impressed with Smalling, 20, who he feels can go on and become a big player for the Reds for some time. "Chris has been training for a few days and he's a big, strong, tall lad," he told manutd.com. "I didn't realise how young he was until he told me. “I think he's got great potential for the future. He's going to be some athlete and when he learns what Manchester United is about he'll become a top player."

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson acknowledged that he will rely on some youngsters to help his squad in the Premier League next season. Established veterans like Wayne Rooney, Patrice Evra, Nemanja Vidic, Michael Carrick and Ji-Sung Park will not return to pre-season training until July 28 after playing in the World Cup this summer. Ferguson insists that players such as 22-year-old Mexican international Javier Hernandez, who signed with United this summer, will play an important role in the team next season. “The history of Manchester United is quite simple,” Ferguson told The Mirror.  “It’s always been based on young people and that’s where we’re more comfortable. I think our fans are more comfortable too. “So producing players is a big incentive for us. We know the response we get from supporters when we produce a player through the ranks, through our youth system. It’s a fantastically satisfying thing also.” Ferguson praised the players that United are currently developing to contribute to the team in the coming seasons, and believes that it is key to give these youngsters the opportunity to sign.  “At the moment we have a collection of young players who have been growing up at the club for the last few years like Danny Welbeck, Jonny Evans, Darron Gibson and Federico Macheda. These young players are developing very well at the club. “Some players are coming through like young Oliver Gill and young Corry, Jonny Evans’ brother. So we’ve a fine collection of young players who, if you don’t give an opportunity to, are going to stagnate and move to other clubs who’ll get the benefit of the work we’ve done with them. “We’ve had experience of that in the past, so we try to avoid that as best we can and make sure we make the right decisions about these boys’ careers, because most of them are very good talented.”

United midfielder Paul Scholes has left the door open to continuing his playing career beyond next season. The 35-year-old had suggested in June that he maybe only had one year left before having to hang up his boots. However, he has now said: "I do not know if it will be my last season. I will just take every game as it comes. "If I am feeling okay and doing the job the manager wants then we will see how things are at the end of next season." Scholes made his United debut in 1994 and has made 643 appearances for the Old Trafford outfit. He signed a one-year extension to his deal in April after continuing to play an influential part for United, making 38 outings and scoring seven goals. He headed in an injury-time winner against Manchester City towards the end of the past campaign to maintain United's title challenge but they eventually finished second to Chelsea in the Premier League and lost to Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals. The veteran is currently with most of the Red Devils squad in the United States at a pre-season training camp ahead of a five-match summer tour. "Hopefully next season will be another good one for me," added Scholes, who also turned down an approach from England manager Fabio Capello to come out of international retirement and go to the World Cup in South Africa this summer.

Manchester United’s marketing machine dropped a clanger by allowing the reserve team to wear the new kit two days ahead of its scheduled release. The club have been attempting to keep the new strip under wraps - despite a number of internet leaks picturing both the new home and away kits. Originally, the club had planned the launch to come just ahead of their North America tour this month. United face Celtic in Toronto on Thursday, followed by clashes with Philadelphia Union, Kansas City Wizards and the MLS All Stars, before taking on Chivas in Mexico. But the hardy fans who turned out to watch the reserve side take on Curzon Ashton in a friendly on Tuesday night were treated to an early glimpse of the new jerseys. With reserve boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looking on, the Red’s strolled to a 4-0 victory over Curzon who ply their trade in Northern Premier League Division One. But it was the appearance of players in the new kit which raised eyebrows - particularly as the club went to such lengths to keep it out of the public domain. The new kit is a plain red number with a white fly-away collar, much like the kit worn by Bryan Robson and co in the early 1980s and features the logo of new sponsor Aon. United agreed a four-year deal with Aon Corp, the American financial company, thought to be worth £80million back in 2009.

Sir Alex Ferguson has been given the green light to swoop for out of contract Joe Cole.

Chelsea are set to release the England international, along with Michael Ballack, after failing to agree new deals with the pair.

Ferguson has been monitoring Cole since contract negotiations stalled at the start of the year.

Chelsea refused to make the 28-year-old one of their highest paid players alongside with John Terry and Frank Lampard.

He was widely expected to quit Stamford Bridge this summer – and that is set to be confirmed with Chelsea admitting defeat in their bid to keep hold of him.

Ferguson has been a long-time admirer of the former West Ham player and is keen to bring him to Old Trafford. But he faces stiff competition from Arsenal, Tottenham and Juventus, who are all chasing the free agent. Cole will be officially available on July 1. Ferguson believes his versatility could make him a crucial part of his plans to wrest the Premier League title back from Chelsea.  Able to play wide on either flank, in central midfield or behind the striker, he is also particularly attractive because he is available for free. With cash tight at United, Ferguson is trying to stretch his budget as far as possible as he hunts a new goalkeeper and striker as well as potentially another midfielder.  Forwards, Karim Benzema and Luiz Suarez, are on his wanted list, with keepers, Hugo Lloris, Igor Akinfeev, Manuel Neuer and Sebastien Frey, all being monitored. The biggest threat to United’s hopes of landing Cole is his desire to stay in London. But he is also desperate to add to the three titles he has won at Chelsea as well as lift the Champions League for the first time, which could give United the edge. Sir Alex Ferguson is rumoured to be ready to offer Harry Redknapp his pick of three players that Manchester United feel may tempt the Tottenham boss into selling talented attacking midfielder Luka Modric. The Croatian international has been linked with a move to Old Trafford previously but apparently the Scot is willing to offer a selection of players in a cash plus player swap. Midfielders Michael Carrick and Anderson as well as keeper Tomasz Kuszczak are apparently on the menu if the White Hart Lane manager considers selling the 24 year old former Dinamo Zagreb man who had an excellent season last term as he helped the north London club to a Champions League finish. The Manchester United boss may well believe that regardless of how great a job Redknapp has done at Tottenham a move to a side who can challenge for the Premier and Champions League titles may be too tempting an offer for the £25m rated man to ignore. Since his arrival at White Hart Lane in August 2008 Modric has impressed greatly as he eased into Premier League life with aplomb and Redknapp will be keen to prevent the intelligent adaptable midfielder from having his head turned by such interest.

Clayton Blackmore reckons poor officiating cost United the Premier League title last season, but believes the title won’t be away from Old Trafford for long. “You need a big chunk of luck to win the title,” said the former United player. “But some things went against them at vital times. “It was such an awful decision by the linesman in the game against Chelsea at Old Trafford  – and that really cost them. “If Chelsea had had the same injuries as us, we would have won the league. And if they had lost two of their top players they would have struggled. “We lost Ronaldo, who is irreplaceable. You could get Messi but he’s not going to do the same job as Ronaldo because he’s not as good as him. “I’m looking forward to seeing the new Mexican lad, Javier Hernandez, during the World Cup and United must still be favourites to wrest the title back from Chelsea next season. And if Owen Hargreaves comes back, it will be like a brand new signing. “I don’t see anyone leaving but if Owen doesn’t come back, then we might need a new midfielder. “But the manager knows what he is doing.”

Manchester United have thrown down the challenge to goalkeeper Ben Amos. The 20-year-old stopper is now the Reds' third choice behind Edwin van der Sar and Tomasz Kuszczak now Ben Foster has left for Birmingham. Goalkeeping coach Eric Steele told www.manutd.com: "The manager and myself have seen enough in his ability to suggest he is (ready). We’ve thrown the gauntlet down, so it’s up to him now to fulfil his potential. The challenge is for us to continue his development, but also for him to take the opportunity and make the most of it." Amos, an imposing figure at 6ft 3in, has already played for the first team when he faced Middlesbrough in the Carling Cup in 2008. He has recently been on loan in Norway at Molde FK and Steele added: "He will have learnt an awful lot out there about himself and about how to marshal defences and become an organiser. "That was another step in his development and now we feel he’s ready to come back and take up the challenge of performing alongside Edwin van der Sar and Tomasz Kuszczak." Amos will join the Reds on their pre-season America tour and is expected to feature there.

Manchester United are reportedly monitoring Yaya Toure after the Barcelona defender's agent said he could be heading for the Premier League. The 27-year-old Ivory Coast star has been linked with a move to City, where his brother is skipper, but the Sun report United could be ready to step in. Toure's agent said: "If everything goes well, Yaya will go to England. But we cannot talk about definited clubs. We have a closed deal and all

IS JOE COLE GOING TO OLD TRAFFORD? Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp believes Joe Cole has already agreed a free transfer away from Chelsea. The 28-year-old, named in England's 23-man squad for the World Cup, is out of contract at Stamford Bridge this summer and has been linked with a number of clubs, notably Spurs and Manchester United. But Redknapp, Cole's old manager at West Ham, said he would not be heading to White Hart Lane. "It looks to me someone's going to make a great free transfer, if he doesn't stay at Chelsea," Redknapp told BBC Radio 5 Live. "I genuinely don't know who that is. I don't think it's going to be Tottenham. "I've got a feeling, I may be wrong, that he's already agreed a deal with someone, and it's not Tottenham. "I'm not saying if he hadn't agreed a deal with someone and he was available and didn't stay at Chelsea that we wouldn't be interested. "I'm a big fan of Joe's, but the feedback we've had is that he might well have already done something." Cole struggled with injury for large parts of last season and on his return to fitness was often overlooked by Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti.

Sir Alex Ferguson is apparently considering a move for Palermo’s impressive young centre back Simon Kjaer this summer. The Manchester United boss is intent on bringing in defensive additions to give his Old Traffor side more strength in depth and has earmarked a move for the Danish international who seems set to leave his Serie A over achievers. Since his arrival in Serie A two seasons ago 21 Kjaer has risen to prominence with the Sicilian club helping them to eighth and fifth placed finishes in the process and developing a reputation for himself as one of the best young talents in the Italian leagues. Tottenham have reportedly been monitoring the youngster’s progress and could well also make a move for the former Midtjylland man but Ferguson is lining up a move to trump Harry Redknapp for his services. With Rio Ferdinand appearing to be a shadow of his former self and with Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling both fast improving but maybe not ready to be first choice regulars a move for new centre backs may be a wise decision for the Scot to make.

Kjaer is set for World Cup action later this month and could well see interest in his services increase in demand if he puts on a good show.

The Red Knights, the group of City financers looking to seize control of Manchester United, are said to have shelved plans to launch a £1bn takeover bid. According to reports, the group has been put off by the £1.5bn that current owners the Glazer family are said to want for the club. The Knights are believed to value the club at between £950m and £1bn. The Glazer family said as recently as last week that the club was not for sale, an announcement dismissed at the time by the Manchester United Supporters Trust (Must) as “spin coming out through the Glazers' PR machine”. Banner Ad

Must, which is backing the Red Knights’ bid, is angry over the £700m debts the Glazer family has saddled the club with. It has just completed a season-long campaign, using the strapline “Love United, Hate Glazer”, to pressure the US-based owners into quitting. The fans’ group also recently called on the club’s sponsors to “choose sides” and back its efforts to remove the Glazers.   It is planning a summer radio, press and digital campaign to maintain the momentum of the campaign through the close season.

United to highlight Javier Hernandez talent
Manchester United will cite Mexican forward Javier Hernandez as an 'exceptional talent' when they plead their case to the Football Association in an effort to secure a work permit for the 21 year-old this week. Although United have agreed a £7 million deal with Chivas Guadalajara for Hernandez, the club must convince the FA, charged by the Home Office with administering the process, to grant a certificate of sponsorship in order to endorse his application. Hernandez, a second-half substitute in Monday's 3-1 defeat by England, has yet to be awarded a permit due to his failure to play in 75 per cent of Mexico's fixtures over the last two years. Although Hernandez has been described as Mexico's brightest talent for a generation, United are mindful their application is not guaranteed to be successful. To secure a work permit, United must convince the FA panel that Hernandez is an elite player who could not be recruited within the European Union for a similar valuation.
Mark Ogden, The Telegraph

Wayne Rooney has dismissed the injury fears reported on Tuesday as "rubbish" and says he's saving his England goals for the World Cup after firing a fourth consecutive blank against Mexico. "Of course I always want to score, but if it doesn’t happen I’m glad it’s in a friendly and not in the World Cup. Hopefully I’m saving them up for South Africa," he said.

Jonny Evans admits in The Sun that he missed out on the chance to establish himself in the United team last season because of his own niggling injuries."There were windows of opportunities I couldn't take because I was sidelined," he said.

Despite Sir Alex's insistence that Dimitar Berbatov is staying at OT, The Guardian has linked the striker with a return to Spurs. Meanwhile, The Telegraph reports that the Glazers will release a financial update to bond holders on Friday.

Manchester United are confident they will pass the new UEFA 'financial fair play' test, but Manchester City, Chelsea and Aston Villa may not. Under the regulations to be rubber-stamped by UEFA's executive committee on Thursday, clubs in European competition will only be allowed to spend what they earn - although some leeway will be given for the first six years of the scheme. Clubs will also still be permitted to have large debts, but only if they can service the interest payments as part of their overall spending. In the Premier League, the new rules would threaten the participation of Manchester City, who made a £93million loss last year, in European competition as well as Chelsea - who made a £47million loss - unless they change their spending habits. Arsenal and Tottenham both made a profit and would pass the test, and Manchester United claim they would too - despite payments of £45million annually to service the interest on the owners' £507million bond scheme. United officials have carried out a 'dummy test' of their finances and are sure they would pass. A United spokesman said: "We support the financial fair play measures. We are confident that we pass them and that we will continue to do so."  United made a £22million profit last year after interest payments but much of that was due to the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid for £80million. Even had they made a loss, United say under the UEFA rules they would be able to write off around £38million a year for 'goodwill' payments - an accounting practice that reflects the amount overpaid by the Glazer family to buy the club compared to the paper value of the club's assets. Furthermore, the interest on the Glazers' PIK (payment in kind) loans will not be taken into account because that is not paid out, but merely added to the debt - they now total £225million. The new UEFA scheme will come into effect in 2012, although some flexibility is afforded for an introductory period. Initially, clubs must not return losses of more then 45million euros (£38million) for the 2012-15 period. After 2015, clubs are given a leeway of 30million (£26million) for three-year losses after which the figure will be reduced still further. If clubs breach the rules then they will not be granted a UEFA club licence to take part in European competitions. Liverpool could also use the 'goodwill' accounting practice to argue they too should pass the test, and Everton's losses of £7million last season would see the Toffees within the leeway bracket, while in Scotland both Celtic and Rangers should also qualify. Aston Villa, however, who returned £46million losses last season, would fail the test. UEFA's intention is for the Football Association and Premier League to rule on which clubs pass the test - in the same way that they now issue UEFA club licences. The independent Club Financial Control Panel appointed by UEFA would carry out spot checks to ensure that the rules were being implemented correctly. The financial fair play rules would also prohibit 'sugar daddies' being allowed to pour money into clubs to buy players or fund high wages. Benefactors would be allowed to make capital investments in their clubs, however, such as building stadiums or youth academies. UEFA's executive committee meeting in Nyon will not just rule on the financial fair play proposals - on Friday they will vote on the host country of Euro 2016. France is viewed as the favourite ahead of Turkey with Italy way behind in third.

Manchester United will begin next season without England stars Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Michael Carrick. The trio are among key United players who are expected to spend June and part of July at the World Cup and Sir Alex Ferguson has taken the extraordinary step of telling them to take a holiday in August. The United boss told a Toronto radio station: ‘The World Cup could be very draining for players as it is the biggest tournament of their lives.  ‘We will give all the players involved a 28-day rest after the last game they play in and we will start the season without them. The squad that goes on our pre-season tour will be the squad that starts the season.’ Ferguson’s promise will also apply to France defender Patrice Evra, Portugal winger Nani, South Korea’s Ji-Sung Park and Serbia’s Nemanja Vidic. Ferguson repeated his assertion that struggling striker Dimitar Berbatov will not be sold but revealed that the club are concerned enough to have been investigating why 16 of their players missed more than six weeks of last season with injury. Manchester United fans can expect many more years of ownership by the controversial Glazer family after it emerged last night that members of the so-called 'Red Knights' group no longer expect their takeover bid to succeed. United fans disillusioned by the burden of debt placed on their club by their American owners have been angered further this week by news that interest on one of the Glazers' loans is set to rise in the summer, costing them in the region of £67million over the next seven years. And last night the feeling of gloom among the substantial anti-Glazer green and gold faction deepened even more after suggestions from informed sources in the City that the Red Knights are now all but resigned to their bid for United failing. They are now aware that only a bid far in excess of United's £1.1bn value would tempt the family to sell. This is something that the group will understandably not consider and with the Knights' plea for United fans to boycott the club by tearing up season tickets falling largely on deaf ears, it is now understood that influential people within the group are struggling to see a way forward. It emerged yesterday that the controversial £138m payment in kind loan taken out by the Glazers in 2006 looks set to carry a 16.25 per cent interest rate from August. This represents a rise of 2 per cent and would add a massive £67m to the club's debt by its scheduled expiry date in 2017. Supporters feel that this development will impinge on Sir Alex Ferguson's transfer budget this summer, yet it is something Uni ted and the Glazer s vigorously deny. The official line from the American owners continues to be that manager Ferguson has as much money as he wants to spend on players, despite his own assertion this week that he will buy only one player between now and the start of next season. Speaking in America, where he is publicising United's preseason tour, chief executive David Gill was sanguine about the club's failure to win the Barclays Premier League title and happy to let the Red Knights know that their attempts to undermine the sale of season tickets have not worked. United we stand: Fans vent their frustrations at the Glazer family on the final day of the campaign Gill said: 'There haven't been any boycotts. Every game at Manchester United has been sold out. We are envisaging sell-out crowds going forward for United.' When the Red Knights' plans to buy United first emerged in January, members of the group called on fans to stop buying tickets and effectively force the Glazers' hand. I t is now accepted, privately at least, that it may have been better to put together an offer quietly without any publicity. Whatever the case, Ferguson's own suggestions this week that he will only dip into the transfer market once this summer will alarm many fans who feel their team were fortunate to finish second to Chelsea in the league by only a point. What was particularly notable was Ferguson's assertion that he will not be looking to replace reserve goalkeeper Ben Foster, 27, who yesterday completed his £6m move to Birmingham. 'Ben Amos will be our third choice goalkeeper now,' said Ferguson. 'He is very talented and has a good future ahead of him.' Ferguson is taking a risk by not signing another world-class keeper. First choice Edwin van der Sar will celebrate his 40th birthday in October and his deputy is the inconsistent 28-year-old Poland No 1 Tomasz Kuszczak. It also seems peculiar that the manager is not willing to spend more of the cash the Glazers insist he has at his disposal as he looks to keep pace with champions Chelsea next season and hold off the challenge he says he expects from Manchester City and Tottenham. Certainly it was telling towards the end of last season how reliant United remain on not only top scorer Wayne Rooney, but also veterans such as Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes. Giggs, 36, and Scholes, 35, are in their final years as players and the intention two years ago was to use them sparingly as the likes of Michael Carrick, Ji-sung Park and the Brazilian Anderson came to the fore. But with Anderson injured and disillusioned with life in England and Carrick and Park sitting on the substitutes' bench, Giggs and Scholes started each of United's final seven league games last season. This is something that Ferguson can not realistically expect to continue into the next demanding campaign. He has already bought central defender Chris Smalling from Fulham for £10m and the Mexico forward Javier Hernandez. Yet this may not be enough in a Premier League likely to become even more competitive next season.  

So what is all the fuss about the ‘Manchester United’ level of debt?

What’s new about United’s debts?
It’s pretty complex, but essentially they are facing an extra £67million in interest payments on the club’s mammoth debt of more than £700m.

Why?
The club pay a whopping 14.25 per cent interest on a £138m so-called payment
in kind (PIK) loan taken out by the Glazers in 2006. But the loan came with
strings attached. If Red Football Ltd, the club’s parent company, rack up debt of
more than five times their annual profits, the interest rate rises to 16.25pc.

That’s where the extra £67m comes in. Is that it?
Sadly not. Interest payments are not due each year, but in 2017. If the club can’t bring the rate down by increasing profits, they will need to pay back £662.6m in seven years.

Should United fans really care?
Absolutely. The Glazers are expected to say they will take £70m for debt
repayment, money that could have been invested in the transfer kitty. Sir
Alex Ferguson could be left with a meagre war-chest as he looks to
strengthen his squad, while Chelsea and Manchester City have no such worries.

What happens now?
Red Football’s debt is £539m (the remainder of the £700m-plus debt rests
with the club), meaning profits will fall short of what is needed to keep interest
payments at the same level as today. But the commercial team hope to secure lucrative deals in time to boost profits before their full-year profit announcement in August.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has said he may not add any more players to his squad this summer. Ferguson has already signed Mexico's Javier Hernandez from Guadalajara and defender Chris Smalling from Fulham. A host of other signings were expected, particularly after chief executive David Gill indicated funds are available to his manager. "There may be one signing but it's not easy in the present climate. The market is very difficult," said Ferguson. Speaking alongside Gill at a press conference in New York to promote United's four-game North American tour this summer, Ferguson added: "The structure of our squad is good in terms of ages, the balance, the numbers and there's a lot of good young players. "Sometimes you have to trust in the development of the last few years and I'm going to stick with that, or most of it." Gill added: "The Premier League is bringing in squad limits next year of 25 but there will be unlimited under-21s and other rules and we'll be taking all that into consideration." Ferguson revealed he would not be replacing goalkeeper Ben Foster, instead promoting England Under-21 international Ben Amos, who had been set to be loaned, to the first-team squad alongside Edwin Van der Sar and Tomasz Kuszczak. "Ben (Amos) will now be our third goalkeeper, he's very talented and has a good future ahead of him," the Scot said. Foster has now signed for Birmingham in a £6 million deal. Ferguson was empathetic with Foster over his international exclusion and said the bid from Birmingham City had been accepted because they knew how concerned the former Stoke City keeper had become about his future. "I think most of that comes from his disappointment of not having played enough games to get in the England squad this summer," the 68-year-old said. "I still feel very strongly about this, that Ben's the best England goalkeeper and I can't work out why he wasn't even considered simply because he didn't have enough football. "Ben's been a terrific servant for us, he's been very unlucky with a couple of injuries he's had with us last season and I think he deserves the opportunity to do better for himself." Supporters' groups opposed to the Glazer family's ownership of Manchester United have argued that Ferguson's transfer dealings are being limited by the level of debt carried by the club. But Gill said: "We're very confident the business model we have in place will ensure the club can continue to compete at the top of football for many years to come. "Our season ticket sales, renewals, for this upcoming season are on track with previous years. Our executive ticket renewals are on track. "The owners have been true to their word since they took over the club in 2005. They've brought commercial expertise and commercial benefit to us in a numbers of areas, and we've seen our revenues grow significantly." The club's summer tour will begin with a training camp in Chicago followed by friendlies against Celtic (Toronto, 16 July), the Philadelphia Union (Philadelphia, 21 July), the Kansas City Wizards (Kansas City, 25 July) and the MLS All-Stars (Houston, 28 July). Ferguson will give his World Cup players leave of absence from the tour, which will move on to Mexico and a game against Guadalajara, which was agreed as part of the deal to sign striker Hernandez.

Now for those ?top ten of great footballing quotes

10 QPR’s Ian Holloway after beating Cardiff

'I couldn't be more chuffed if I were a badger at the start of the mating season.'

9 Liverpool’s Bob Paisley (right)

'Mind you, I've been here during the bad times too - one year we came second.'

8 England’s Graham Taylor to a linesman

'I was just saying to your colleague, the referee has got me the sack, thank him ever so much for that, won't you?'

7  Leeds' Don Revie (right) on winger Eddie Gray

'When he plays on snow, he doesn't leave any footprints.’

6 Jose Mourinho on his arrival at Chelsea

'Please don't call me arrogant, but I'm European champion and I think I'm a special one’

5 Celtic's Jock Stein

'Celtic jerseys are not for second best, they don't shrink to fit inferior players.'

4 Tottenham’s Bill Nicholson

‘It is better to fail aiming high than to succeed aiming low. And we of Spurs have set our sights very high, so high in fact that even failure will have in it an echo of glory.’

3 Nottingham Forest’s Brian Clough looks back

'I wouldn't say I was the best manager in the business. But I was in the top one.'

2  Manchester United’s Sir Alex Ferguson

'My greatest challenge is not what's happening at the moment, my greatest challenge was knocking Liverpool right off their f*****g perch. And you can print that.'

1 Liverpool’s Bill Shankly

'Some people believe football is a matter of life and death. I'm very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.’