Manchester United Fans Club

Dimitar Berbatov’s departure from Tottenham to Manchester United is expected to gather pace this week as the clubs work towards a transfer for the striker deemed psychologically unfit to play this weekend.The 27-year-old has handed in a transfer request to Spurs and wants to join United, with his departure appearing inevitable after head coach Juande Ramos deemed him unfocused to face Sunderland.

Ramos also feared Berbatov was having a negative effect on the dressing room, which suggests there may be no way back for the Bulgaria international who was signed two seasons ago for £10.9million from Bayer Leverkusen.

Spurs would be expected to receive more than double that amount but there has been no official bid since a £20.5million offer was turned down earlier this month.

It is understood the clubs are working towards closing a £10million gap in their respective valuations of the player, whose departure would leave Ramos with one out-and-out striker.

Berrbatov, meanwhile, could be fined for not being in the right state of mind to play against Sunderland, who took full advantage and defeated Spurs 2-1.

The Reds’ sensational Double success of last season could lead to more honours this week at the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year awards.United are the best-represented club with no fewer than six players shortlisted as the best performers in their positions for the 2007/08 campaign.

Edwin van der Sar is up for the best goalkeeper award while Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic are in contention for the defender gong.

Paul Scholes’ name is in the hat for the midfielder prize while front men Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo will be vying for the forward of the year honour. All six Reds could also win the overall Club Footballer of the Year award.

The shortlists reflect the Premier League’s dominance of the Champions League last season, with 17 of the 20 candidates for the awards plying their trade in England. Added to United’s six are five from Chelsea (Peter Cech, John Terry, Michael Essien, Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba), four from Liverpool (Pepe Reina, Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres) and two from Arsenal (Manuel Almunia, Cesc Fabregas).

The three nominees from outside the English game are Schalke 04 goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, Barcelona defender Carles Puyol and his team-mate, forward Lionel Messi.

Coaches of the 16 teams that reached the knockout phase of the 2007/08 UEFA Champions League were invited to cast their votes. The award winners will be announced at the draw for this season’s group stage on Thursday 28 August - the day before United face UEFA Cup winners Zenit St Petersburg in the UEFA Super Cup final at Monaco’s Stade Louis II.

Sir Alex Ferguson has assured Rio Ferdinand that he remains in line to lead Manchester United despite missing out on the England captaincy.England coach Fabio Capello chose John Terry ahead of Ferdinand to become the new national team captain on a long-term basis ahead of England’s 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic on Wednesday.

Ferguson said however that he would hand 29-year-old Ferdinand the United captain’s armband once Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs were no longer around.

‘The way I operate is through seniority,’ Ferguson told reporters. ‘That’s why Gary Neville is captain and when he’s not playing Ryan has taken over. If Ryan is not available then Rio stands in.

‘In the long-term Rio will be captain, no question about that. I’m very comfortable with that.

‘His qualities of leadership have improved tremendously over the last two or three years and ability-wise, it is there for all to see.’

Ferguson said the selection of Terry ahead of Ferdinand for the England job was not a major issue and will not have a bearing on Ferdinand’s form or state of mind. (more…)