It almost seemed like it was destined to happen for a player named Rojo (which means “red” in Spanish) to sign with a team whose nickname is “The Red Devils,” but destiny took control of this transfer after issues of ownership sought to derail it from happening. On August 20, 2014, Manchester United FC made the official announcement confirming the signing of Marcos Rojo, the Argentinian World Cub star from Sporting Lisbon The deal for defender Rojos is reported to be £16 million and included the season-loan of Manchester United’s winger, Nani, who played for Sporting Lisbon in the past

The transfer got off to a rocky start when issues surrounding who controlled Rojo’s future arose, with Rojo’s representatives and Sporting Lisbon becoming involved in a public dispute. But, an agreement was reached and Rojo is expected to make his debut in less than a week in the game against Sunderland on August 24^th, due to injuries that have sidelined Luke Shaw and Johnny Evans.

Marcos Rojo, whose full name is Faustino Marcos Alberto Rojo, is 24 years old as he enters the Manchester United FC lineup and is the first player signed under the new management of Louis van Gaal. As a player, Rojo brings a unique versatility to the team, able to assume the roles of a left-sided centre-back and a left-back, while also capable of being deployed as a winger. His dedication and stamina are becoming legendary as seen during the last World Cup, when Rojo played the entire 120 minutes throughout the final defeat of Germany.

Rojo’s transfer comes after Manchester United’s stunning signing of teen football star, Luke Shaw, for £30 million, making him the most expensive full-back in football history. This is only the third signing for Manchester United, which in addition to Luke Shaw has signed Ander Herrara. Fans are anxious for more new faces on the team and the Executive Vice-Chairman, Ed Woodward is feeling the pressure to sign new players before the August 31st deadline.

In an interview with Rojo about the Manchester United transfer, the player said that it’s been his dream to play for Manchester United and he is especially proud to be working with Louis van Gaal.

For leading businessman Tunde Folawiyo, the memory of the Manchester United FC 2008 Champion’s League in Moscow stands out as one of his favourite memories. The Tunde Folawiyo professional profile mentions not only his accomplishments, but his time in the stands during this exciting game.

Van Gaal is being kept busy by transfer negotiations at the moment. It might surprise Tunde Folawiyo to hear that, should his efforts to sign Arturo Vidal fall through, the Dutch manager will attempt to sign Alex Song instead. The Red Devils have been open about their talks with Juventus over the past few weeks, and are said to have offered the Italian club £45 million for the 27-year-old. Several weeks ago, they also requested that Vidal undergo a medical assessment, in order to ensure that his old knee and ankle injuries would not hinder his ability to play in upcoming matches.

Whilst such measures – and such a generous offer – clearly indicate that Van Gaal is eager to bring Vidal on board, it is unclear if Juventus would be willing to let him go. Whether Song would be the best alternative is debatable. Although Luis Enrique, the Arsenal manager, is thought to have been less than impressed with the Cameroon player’s performance, Van Gaal seems to see some potential in him which others do not.

United have also set their sights on another Arsenal player – Thomas Vermaelen. The club are believed to be looking to strengthen their central defence by playing with three centre halves, and are confident that Vermaelan is the right man for this job. However, it has been reported that the young player is close to agreeing to a transfer to Barcelona, in a 5-year deal worth approximately £12 million.

Vermaelan had expressed a desire to leave Arsenal some time ago, due to the fact that Enrique had been continually favouring Koscielny and Mertesacker over him. Initially, he seemed willing to transfer to United, but now that Arsenal has stated that they would prefer to make a deal with an overseas club, a move to Old Trafford looks very unlikely.

Being a supporter of United, Tunde Folawiyo is probably aware that Van Gaal had not had much luck with his efforts to sign Mat Hummels either. Hummels has been one of his top transfer targets, due to the recent departure of both Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic. Despite Dortmund refusing to budge regarding the transfer of the defender, Van Gaal intends to make one final offer of £30 million. If this is rejected, he will be considering Daley Blind, who currently plays for Ajax.

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Mere weeks after leading the Netherlands to a third place finish at the World Cup, Van Gaal is at it again, seeking to sign the boldest and brightest players to the Manchester United roster. A variety of international players are said to be under Van Gaal’s radar, few of which have been confirmed by the coach himself, though the exception lies in Kevin Strootman, Roma midfielder. Recently, Van Gaal confirmed interest in 24-year-old Strootman who is currently on lay-off due to a knee injury suffered in March. Tunde Folawiyo and other fans of Manchester United may find a Strootman acquisition to be amongst Van Gaal’s wisest moves as coach so far.

Whilst Van Gaal has indeed admitted interest, he has also admitted hesitance over Stootman’s long period of lay-off. According to the Manchester United coach, no decision will be made until an assessment of the player’s period of recovery. Also swirling around the rumour mill is Roma player Medhi Benatia, a centre half who may very well be within Van Gaal’s eye line. The coach also addressed Luke Shaw’s wage demands.

The Dutchman first made his professional debut playing for Sparta Rotterdam during the 2007–2008 season. His contract was extended during November of 2008, where he later performed in the Eerste Divisie. During the January 2011 transfer window, Strootman was signed by FC Utrecht, where he played for part of the 2010–11 season before making a move to PSV during June of the same year.

During July of 2013, Roma and PSV finalized Strootman’s transfer to Italian Serie A, a €17 million deal. With several goals throughout his time with the club, he suffered an injury during March 2014 that would render him out for the rest of the season, as well as the 2014 World Cup, one in which the Dutch placed third. The manner in which the midfielder bounces back from his injury will be under heavy scrutiny by Van Gaal and his staff in the coming weeks.

Strootman’s international debut for the Dutch team came in 2011 in a match against Austria. Whilst he was part of the Netherlands’ roster at the Euro 2012, the team was knocked out during group stage. He played regularly for the team during the qualifying campaign for the 2014 World Cup, scoring during an 8-1 victory over Hungary. Given Strootman’s tremendous performance for both Roma and the Netherlands national team, Tunde Folawiyo and millions of other Red Devils fans may welcome the signing of the super talent. A Tunde Folawiyo success story on Frontiers provides a glimpse into the life of one of United’s loyal fans.

With Manchester United Head Coach Louis Van Gaal hard at work solidifying the club’s roster, the rumour mill continues to swirl with tidbits of potential trades and new signings. Whilst the fate of the club’s current members is not yet set in stone, there are a few rumours that have been confirmed. It has recently been reported that United hopes to soon complete Arturo Vidal’s signing, a move that had been previously disputed by the player himself. Tunde Folawiyo and millions of other fans of the beloved club may welcome the signing of the 27-year-old Chilean.

Whilst Vidal, a Juventus midfielder, recently told reporters that a move to Old Trafford was not on the cards, recent reports claim an outstanding £35 million move may be in the works with a signing possible in the coming weeks. With Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera recently signed to United, a Vidal contract would be the third initiated since Van Gaal’s start as head coach.

Although signing Vidal would be of great benefit to United, there are many tough decisions up ahead for Van Gaal and his coaching staff. Wilfried Zaha and Nani are both rumoured to be on the chopping block after receiving significant dressing-downs from Van Gaal during their pre-season United States tour. The coach is said to be unimpressed with the pairs’ attitude, prompting questions of whether they will remain with the team for the upcoming season.

If the player’s career stats are any indication, United would benefit immensely from signing the midfielder to the squad. Vidal held several roles in the early years of his career, demonstrating his versatility and capabilities in both attack and defense. His reputation earned him the nickname “Ill Guerriero” or “The Warrior” by Italian press for his aggressive playing style.

Vidal is regarded amongst the best in the world after displaying outstanding skill under Juventus. His service to the team, as well as Chile’s national team, have garnered him much fanfare throughout his career. During 2013, he was ranked 11^th on Bloomberg’s list of the best players in Europe. With much work to be done to the Red Devils’ roster ahead of next season, whether or not Vidal will join in is a topic of interest for many United fans and players alike. Flickr images of Tunde Folawiyo may showcase a glimpse of Red Devils fan life. He and millions of other Manchester United fans may welcome the Chilean with open arms if Van Gaal does indeed seal the deal.

As a supporter of United, Tunde Folawiyo was no doubt thrilled to learn that the team enjoyed yet another victory this month, with their match against Valencia ending with a final tally of 2-1. Darren Fletcher gave the Red Devils the lead soon after the interval; however, Rodrigo scored an equaliser for Valencia minutes later, and for a time, it seemed as if the match would end in a draw. But Van Gaal’s decision to bring on Fellaini proved to be a wise one, as the Belgian grabbed an opportunity to score after the keeper Diego Alves accidentally collided with a defender.

This was a particularly proud moment for Fellaini, being the first goal he has scored since joining the team last summer. His transfer to United cost the club just over £27 million; as such, it’s safe to say that there were high expectations, which up until this week, Fellaini had failed to meet. He was – and perhaps still is -a favourite to be transferred; however, given his performance during this match, he might be able to sway Van Gaal’s opinion, and keep his place at his current club.

Whilst fans like Tunde Folawiyo were probably very pleased with the final results of the match, commentators observed a certain lack of excitement amongst the spectators. Despite Van Gaal’s best efforts, he and his team could not improve the somewhat sombre atmosphere in the stadium. The only point at which the crowds began to awaken was when Wayne Rooney was awarded a penalty, after having been nudged by Antonio Barragan. Unfortunately, Rooney mistimed his footing and failed to get the ball anywhere near the net. After the match ended, Van Gaal expressed disappointment with his team’s performance, and said that although they had won in the end, it had been their worst game yet, with a number of questionable decisions being made by the players.

Despite the striker’s momentary lapse from grace in their game against Valencia, Van Gaal still decided to appoint Rooney as United’s captain. The announcement was made shortly after the match. Van Gaal praised Rooney for having a great attitude, adding that he had been pleased with how professional the player had been in regards to training and adhering to the newly-introduced system. He described him as an inspiration, and said that he believed he would work well alongside the new vice-captain, Darren Fletcher. Rooney also commented on the news, stating that it was a great honour to be given the role of captain. He went on say that he would perform his duties with great pride, and that he was very thankful that Van Gaal for giving him this opportunity.

Folawiyo is a football fanatic, and enjoys watching the matches played by his favourite teams. However, this is just one of his many pastimes; he also, for instance, likes reading about the accomplishments of important figures. You can discover more about his thoughts on this subject by visiting the Influential icons blog of Tunde Folawiyo.

With Coach Van Gaal hard at work perfecting the Manchester United roster, it has been announced that the club intends to heighten efforts to acquire the talented Thomas Vermaelen. United are expected to extend a £15m to the Arsenal defender to top Barcelona’s attempts for a signing (1). The news comes upon Vermaelen’s rejection of a contract extension with Emirates, prompting the renewed interest in the Belgian. Tunde Folawiyo and millions of other Red Devils fans may welcome the player with open arms as his achievements are not lost upon the world of football thus far.

The Red Devils have exhibited a weak central defense in the past, driving Van Gaal’s determination to acquire Vermaelen. Arsene Wenger had previously halted the move earlier in the summer. Also on the Coach Van Gaal’s player wish list is Daley Blind, Ajax’s wing-back. Signing these two players would do tremendous things for Van Gaal’s plans for a 3-5-2 player formation that would allow two wide players to easily transition from defense to attack.

Though a Vermaelen transition to United would most likely be welcome by fans, Arsenal has displayed reluctance to part with Vermaelen, especially to a League rival. In recent years alone, six of Arsenal’s first team have moved north, further adding to their hesitation to hand over Vermaelen. Though, whilst he served as captain for the team last season, the defender made only seven appearances, adding to speculation of his reputation amongst the team.

United’s defense is undoubtedly of great concern for the new coach. Acquiring Vermaelen would provide coverage for Luke Shaw, adding strength to a defense previously seen lagging. Recent reports have suggested that as many as six of United’s players may be making a move from Old Trafford.

Vermaelen joined Ajax’s youth academy during 2000 before winning the 2003-2004 Eredivisie during his first season. He served as the club’s captain after the departure of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar during 2009. That same year, he joined team Arsenal, where he was named club captain upon the transfer of Robin van Persie to Old Trafford during August of 2012. Though he displayed great talent on the field, the success of defensive duo Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker hindered playing time. His leadership skills and goalscoring abilities as a defender make him a force to be reckoned with. Tunde Folawiyo and other loyal fans of Manchester United may hope for a Vermaelen signing to turn the team’s defense around in hopes of brighter times ahead. For more information about his varied interests, view this interview with Tunde Folawiyo.

Former Scottish footballer and famed manager of Manchester United Sir Alex Ferguson retired last year after serving the team since 1986. Ferguson’s departure occurred after his 1500^th match as manager, against West Brom. Ferguson said simply that it was the right time to leave. Many consider him among the best managers in the history of football. He won the Manager of the Year award more times than any person in British history. Fans of Ferguson and Manchester United can be found in the UK and all over the world, including Tunde Folawiyo, who has been a fan since the days of Best and Charlton. For more information, please see this Tunde Folawiyo company overview.

Ferguson’s soccer career began as a player at aged 16 in the amateur league with Queen’s Park. He began his professional career after signing with Dunfermline in 1964. In 1966, Ferguson tied for the most goals scored in the Scottish League. He played for several teams in the Scottish football association before transitioning to management in 1974. He was only 32 when he began as manager for East Stirlingshire, and headed next to St. Mirren to oversee a remarkable rise in the club’s game play and base of fan support. After St. Mirren became the only football team to ever fire Ferguson, he moved on to Aberdeen, the team that claimed both the Scottish Cup and the European Super Cup in 1983.

Manchester United took Ferguson on as manager in 1986, and in his first season he brought the team from twenty-first to eleventh place. He worked with players to increase discipline and drive, and made some expensive acquisitions, including Neil Webb and Danny Wallace in 1989. After a rough start, Manchester United found its stride, and Ferguson went on to be one of the most celebrated managers in football. He has a long legacy of former players who have gone on to become managers themselves.

His former players praise his skills as a manager, his incredible passion and commitment to the game. After achieving one thousand games in 2004, he was lauded by then-captain Bryan Robson as a man who “lives and breathes for football.” Ferguson won nearly forty trophies with Manchester United. The team won the UEFA Champions League title twice under his direction and the Premier League title thirteen times.

RoShaun Williams, only fifteen years old, is a youth player for Manchester United and England who is in the news today for clocking a 10.99 second time in a 100m dash at his school. The record is more that significant—it beats the 11.13 second time set by Darren Campbell, who won an Olympic gold in 2004 in the 100m relay. Williams’ accomplishment has many looking forward to his possible future as a professional footballer. Williams cites newly retired United star Ryan Giggs as a personal hero. Thinking toward the club’s future will merit some recounting of its historic past.

In 1878, some employees at a wagon works started a football team called Newton Heath that played against other employees at rail companies at a North Road pitch, but quickly gained a reputation when they entered the Manchester Cup in 1885, and won it the following year. The team did not have the chops to join the Football League, but started the Football Alliance with a dozen other town teams. After nearing bankruptcy in 1902, the club reorganized and became Manchester United. The team first won the title of League Champions in 1908.

Old Trafford was destroyed in a bombing during World War II, and when the league resumed at the end of the war, Manchester came back to finish in second place, and they went on to win in 1952. A plane crash in 1958 devastated the team, but they fought to recover, and ten years later the team became the first in all of England to ever win the European cup, sealing their place in football history. Currently the team is among the richest football clubs in the world, and also the most valuable. It also has one of the largest fan bases of any sports team in the world. Fans of the club aren’t just local, but hail from all over the world, including Tunde Folawiyo. Interested readers can see uploads from Tunde Folawiyo for more information on his work and interests.

Manchester’s crest is modelled after a city council crest, and features a ship. The club colours varied in the early years but settled on today’s red, white and black in 1902, along with the team name. Manchester United still plays at Old Trafford, which has seen extensive remodelling over the years. The stadium sees the second highest fan population of any European football club.

Ryan Giggs is in the news recently, amid rumours that Manchester United is considering retiring the number 11 shirt in honour of Giggs, whose twenty-three year football career ended in retirement last year. Giggs has stated that he is interested to see who will take over the number, and says he can imagine inheriting the number 11 shirt could come with a great deal of pressure. But he does not think the team should retire it, given their high turnover of fantastic players. The retirement rumours are thought to have started in a push from excited fans. Now that he is retired, Giggs has joined the Manchester United coaching staff under Louis Van Gaal.

Ryan Giggs was born in Canton, Cardiff in 1973. His father, Danny Wilson, played union rugby for Cardiff RFC, and Giggs was a player of both rugby and football from a young age. Giggs was offered associate schoolboy forms on his fourteenth birthday and his first professional contract on his seventeenth birthday. He made his league debut for Manchester on March 2, 1991, and was voted the PFA Young Player of the year in 1992 and 1993. By 2002, Giggs was the longest serving player on United, and in 2004 he became one of only two players to have one the FA cup more than three times. Giggs’ unquestionable skills and long duration in the game have made him the holder of numerous league records, including league titles, and was awarded PFA player of the year in 2009.

Giggs retired in 2014 at age 40, in an open letter to friends and supporters that announced both his retirement and his position as assistant manager of Manchester United. In the letter, he referred to his pride at representing United in 963 games, and Wales in 64, fulfilling a life-long dream and playing among the greatest players in the football world. He is pleased to be going on to work alongside van Gaal, and his efforts on the field, spanning two decades, are sure to be remembered for a long time to come. Long-time fan and business owner Tunde Folawiyo is among the many that cite Giggs as the greatest Manchester United player of all time, for his longevity in such a competitive climate. Giggs was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2005.

After a staggering 24 year stint for Manchester United, 40 year old Ryan Giggs is set to pass his renowned number 11 shirt to 19 year old Belgian, Adnan Januzaj. Red Devils enthusiasts the world over like Tunde Folawiyo will be waiting with baited breath to see how this promising young player will fare trying to fill such illustrious boots.

Being presented with such a prestigious shirt is, of course, a huge honour and a sign of confidence in this young player, but it will no doubt lead to extra scrutiny as he is compared with his predecessor, one of the most decorated players in footballing history.

On his 17th Birthday, Ryan Giggs received the ultimate gift. A contract with Manchester United, the team that had just lifted the FA Cup. Naturally, he accepted the contract and two days later (1st December 1990) attained many a young man’s dream, becoming a professional football player.

Giggs debuted with the team on 2nd March 1991. He managed to score in his first game. Giggs made the first team later that season, despite the fact that he was aged only 17, under the watchful eye of renowned manager, Alex Ferguson.

By 1992, Giggs had become the Red Devil’s first-choice left winger, and was recognised as one of two of the best emerging wingers in British football alongside Steve McManaman. Ferguson was fiercely protective of his key player, shielding him from the press and only allowing him to be interviewed once he had turned 20.

In a glittering career, which has spanned almost two and a half decades (almost unheard of for footballers these days), Giggs earned a string of accolades, including:

• The only player to have scored goals in 21 consecutive Premier League seasons;
• The most Premier League appearances for a player at a staggering 611;
• The first player to score 100 Premier League goals for Manchester United;
• The most appearances by a Manchester United player.

In his 24 years of play for Manchester United, Ryan Giggs was never sent off the pitch. He was awarded the OBE in 2007 for services to football, and is a shining example to all in the sport.

With Giggs now taking up the role of Assistant Manager at Manchester United and encouraging him to take the shirt, Adnan Januzaj could not wish for a better mentor. Long-time Red Devils followers such as Tunde Folawiyo will be keen to see what the future holds for this promising protégé. Readers can discover more about Manchester United enthusiast and professional Tunde Folawiyo and his recent activities.