Manchester United will face Scunthorpe United today as they seek to defend their Carling Cup title. United’s newest signing – Bebe – is reportedly set to make his first team debut against the Championship club. In other news, United gamble with a new contract policy and Paul Scholes has declared the Carling Cup is a priority.
Bebe set for Carling Cup debut – The Daily Telegraph
I said yesterday I expected Bebe to be involved in the Carling Cup match against Scunthorpe after his exclusion from the Reserves match on Monday; now it seems this has been confirmed. Interestingly enough, the Telegraph is still referring to Bebe as a striker despite comments from both the manager and player confirming he is a winger. Technicalities aside, Bebe is on the verge of making his debut in the first team. Sir Alex has taken stick from the press for purchasing Bebe without seeing him play, but now the Portuguese winger has a chance to prove his critics wrong. The manager seems to have confidence in his newest signing, and Bebe has the belief in himself. With his first team debut imminent, Bebe seems fully convinced he will make an impact at Old Trafford. I look forward to him proving the press and all his doubters wrong.
United gamble on future for stars with new policy – The Guardian
The club has previously operated on the policy that negotiations will begin with players when two years remain on their contract. Now, the club will not begin contract negotiations until the final year of a player’s contract. From a business standpoint, United’s new policy seems very savvy. Players’ transfer value will decrease as they near the end of their contract. The club appears willing to gamble on the fact that most players will desire to remain at Old Trafford. Former stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo have proven otherwise as he was eager to depart for Real Madrid. Dimitar Berbatov and Darren Fletcher are among those with two years remaining on their contracts . I believe both are critical to our success, and extensions should be tied up as soon as possible. Anderson, Michael Carrick, and Park Ji-Sung are also among those with two years remaining on their contracts. However, it seems the club will be flexible with their new policy. Negotiations to make Wayne Rooney the highest paid player in United history have reportedly already commenced, and Patrice Evra is the next in line. There is certainly some risk involved with this new policy; I hope United don’t pay the price.
Scholes: Carling Cup is a priority – The Daily Mail
I can’t say I agree with Paul Scholes when he says the Carling Cup is a priority for the club. We’ve won the Carling Cup the previous two seasons, but there are three other trophies that I, along with most United fans, would prefer to win. Last season the Carling Cup was our sole success of the season, but this season the squad should aim higher. The Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup are all more prestigious than the League Cup. I’d be pleased defending our Carling Cup title, but only if other silverware is collected as well.
Quote of the Day: Bebe in The Daily Mail: “I am going to be a brilliant player for Manchester United. After a couple more games I will be better. I have to be fitter because it’s a different type of football in England.”
Discuss all today’s news and rumors in the forum.
You can follow Kyle on Twitter at KDill_MUFC.
Really hope Bebe gets a run tonight. I saw bis of the reserve game in which he featured and the same for Portugal u21s. From what i have seen though, there is potential there. I don’t know where these journalists get this info but it seems wide of the mark. Yes he wasn’t right physically but he hadn’t had a pre season. Looking forward to seeing get a run against Scunthorpe.