Manchester United are currently working towards acquiring some new team members during the summer transfer window; rumour has it that getting Mats Hummels on board is a top priority for Louis Van Gaal, although it remains to be seen whether Borussia Dortmund will accept their most recent offer of £20 million.

As a football fan, Tunde Folawiyo may be aware that the 25 year old defender has played a key role in helping Dortmund win several trophies over the past six years. It is unclear, as of yet, whether they would be willing to let go of one of their most talented players. Moreover, reports indicate that United are not the only club that have set their sights on Hummels; both Real Madrid and Barcelona are thought to be preparing bids as well.

Van Gaal is said to be trying to inject some running power and creativity into the team’s central areas, and so is looking to purchase several midfielders, including Arturo Vidal and William Carvalho. The latter currently plays for Sporting Lisbon, and his contract with the Portuguese club states that he cannot be transferred for under £37 million. Augusto Ignacio, the director, has said that he would be open to idea of selling the player for the right price; he explained that losing Carvalho would not be a problem, as they have several other players who are equally skilled.

Vidal, who is at present player for Juventus, will cost United even more, with reports indicating that the club have submitted a bid of £48 million for the Chilean. Both Arsenal and Real Madrid have also expressed an interest in this player and as such, even this generous offer from United may not be enough to secure his transfer to Old Trafford. Vidal himself has implied that he would like to join the Red Devils however, noting that he would be quite happy to have a season off from the Champions League.

Football fanatics like Tunde Folawiyo are doubtless aware that Vidal is considered to be one of the world’s greatest midfielders; ranked amongst Italy’s top ten players, he has contributed to more than 16 of the 80 goals scored by Juventus during the past year. As such, it would be a major step forward for United if they succeed in purchasing him.

Man United’s transfer negotiations appear to be going far better than they did last year. The club is nearing the end of a successful bout of negotiations with Athletic Bilbao, which are expected to result in the signing of Ander Herrera. Herrera is a midfielder whose services United have been attempting to secure since 2013. David Moyes’ came close to signing him last year, but failed after a paperwork mix-up on the transfer deadline day.

Meanwhile, United supporters such as Tunde Folawiyo have bid farewell to left back Alexander Buttner. The 25 year old has joined Dynamo Moscow, and is currently training with them at their camp in Austria. Speaking to the press about the transfer, Buttner explained that he was happy to leave the Red Devils, as he was eager to participate in the Champion’s League.

He noted that Dynamo Moscow had a strong team who would be capable of winning the title during the coming season. Buttner also criticised Van Gaal, arguing that, despite him being named as Man of the Match on 14 occasions during his time with United, the Dutch manager never gave him a regular spot on the first team for Holland.

The club have made Southampton a second, higher offer of £34 million, in a bid to obtain Luke Shaw, a left back who would serve as a replacement for Buttner. If the transfer goes ahead, it would be the most expensive signing of a teenage player since Wayne Rooney joined United. Southampton are clearly aware of how valuable Shaw is, and are reluctant to let him go; they refused United’s offer of £27 million in May of this year, and have said that they will not allow this player unless a high enough bid is made.

United have also experienced a setback in their attempt to sign Joao Miranda, as their bid of £25 million has been rejected by Atletico Madrid. Football fans like Tunde Folawiyo are no doubt aware that Miranda would make an excellent addition to the team, but it looks like Van Gaal will have to make a better offer if he wants to sign this particular player. Van Gaal is also said to be interested in getting Edinson Cavani on board. The striker, who currently plays for Paris Saint Germain, has said that he would be willing to consider a move to United, although there has been no talk of a signing, as of yet.

Despite having his hands full with transfer negotiations and coaching responsibilities at the World Cup, Louis Van Gaal is now beginning to focus his efforts on training United, and making them challengers for the club title once more. The Dutchman has ordered Chris Smalling, Luke Shaw, Phil Jones, Danny Welbeck and Wayne Rooney to participate in the Red Devils pre-season tour of the USA, even though it’s been less than a month since the English team exited from the World Cup.

As a fan of United, Tunde Folawiyo may remember that in previous years, players were granted a minimum of four weeks holiday after taking part in any major tournament. However, Van Gaal seems to be determined to place greater demands on his players. In addition to calling up those who played for the English squad during the World Cup, he is also ordering additional evening training sessions for the entire team. This will mean that United will complete an afternoon training session, take three hours off for recovery, and then return to the pitch for another session which will last at least two hours.

Whilst Van Gaal has set the training schedule in motion, he will not be present to oversee its execution, due to being tied up with World Cup business; in his absence, Ryan Giggs will be stepping in as manager – this is a player whom many supporters, including Tunde Folawiyo greatly admire. The Welshman has already served in this capacity, following Moyes’ departure earlier this year; as such it’s safe to say that the team will be in good hands. Giggs will also be supported by the newly-appointed assistant manager Albert Stuivenberg.

Stuivenberg recently resigned as the manager of the Dutch FA under-21 team, after Van Gaal offered him a position at Old Trafford. He had been serving in this capacity for more than 12 months, and had also helped the under-17 Dutch team to win the European Championships in both 2011 and 2012. Jelle Goes, the technical director at the FA, commented on Stuivenberg’s resignation, noting that they were very grateful to him for his contributions to Dutch football, and that he had done an incredible job with both the under-21 and under-17 teams.

Much sought-after player Thomas Vermaelen may be making a long-anticipated switch to Manchester United this summer, according to recent reports. Whilst Arsenal has yet to formally accept the bid, it’s been said the defender is ready to seal his fate with the Red Devils. Fans of the club, like Tunde Folawiyo and millions more from around the globe, are surely waiting in anticipation for news of this important trade. During a time when fan morale may be an all-time low, new hope may be restored upon the signing of a number of talented players.

Rumours are swirling that the 28-year-old Arsenal player has been extended a generous £30,000-a-week pay raise to make the move to Manchester and with only a year left before his contract expires, the defender can no longer afford to sit idly. It has been said that Vermaelen and Coach Arsene Wenger have fallen out of sorts as the manager has looked to players like Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny to serve as the backbone of the back four.

Vermaelen, a five-year player for Arsenal, joined the club after transferring from Dutch team Ajax, and was once amongst Wenger’s foremost defensive players before suffering a series of injuries he has struggled with since. It is said that the player believes new manager Louis van Gaal may be able to restore his skill, in addition to improving his £70,000-a-week salary.

Arsenal has proved vulnerable in regards to transfers during recent years, with players like Gael Clichy, Emmanuel Adebayor, Samir Nasri and Kolo Toure all signed off to Manchester City. Several players who made the switch to City went for large salaries as their contracts wore down, as is the case with Vermaelen.

Belgian footballer Vermaelen joined AFC Ajax’s youth academy during 2000, winning the 2003-2004 Eredivisie title during his very first season. After a loan, he rejoined Ajax to win the esteemed KNVB Cup. He then served as the club’s captain upon Klaas-Jan Huntelaar’s departure during 2009. That same year, he joined popular Arsenal and was named captain upon Van Persie’s switch to United during August of 2012.

Amongst Vermaelen’s key attributes are his aerial abilities, his speed with the football and his leadership skills that have carried through several teams with great success. Tunde Folawiyo and other fans of the Red Devils may regard a Vermaelen switch as just the beginning of a wise set of moves by the newly appointed Coach Van Gaal.

Manchester United has announced that player Patrice Evra’s contract has been extended. The renewal takes the Frenchman’s Manchester United career into a tenth season. As fans of one of the most famous clubs in the sport, Manchester United supporters are anticipating a thrilling season with newly-appointed coach Van Gaal leading the squad. Loyal fans such as Tunde Folawiyo and millions of others may find Evra’s extension to be a wise move for the future success of Manchester United.

With over 379 appearances and 10 goals for the team, Evra served as captain during former skipper Nemanja Vidic’s absence due to injury. Signed by the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson in January 2006, the French full-back has won five Premier League titles, three League Cups, a Champions League and a FIFA World Cup over his career with Manchester United, demonstrating his incredible talent on the field. He has proved consistent since his arrival at Old Trafford, regularly serving as captain.

Aside from his tremendous skill, it’s Evra’s passion that has given him the cult hero status he holds today. He was capped for France five times and served as club captain for Monaco before he joined United at the age of 24. It was playing for Monaco that his reputation as a smart, attack-minded player was established. He showed great success at the club, which won the French League Cup in 2003 before qualifying for the UEFA Champions League final in 2004.

Upon his arrival at Manchester United, Evra made his career debut in an inauspicious 3-1 defeat. But the French player went on to help his team towards victory in the Premiere League before claiming a spot in PFA’s Team of the Year.

While famous player Wayne Rooney proved a team star throughout the 2009/10 season, Evra’s accomplishment of starting in 37 out of 38 league fixtures was not unnoticed. He was again included in Team of the Year on captaining Manchester United to a Carling Cup victory in February 2010. Further demonstrating his talents, Evra played 35 games during the Reds’ 2010/11 league campaign, and later that season his contract was extended yet again, keeping him with the team until the end of the 2013/2014 campaign.

As Evra’s future with Manchester United looks promising, the hopes of millions of Reds fans throughout the world remain in balance. Tunde Folawiyo and countless others with a love for Manchester United may regard the achievements of Evra as a testament to his worth to the team.

Man United’s transfer plans are once again being revamped, following the appointment of Louis van Gaal as manager. Whilst Moyes was said to have been eager to add Cesc Fabregas to the team, van Gaal has insisted that he has no interest in this player, and has now provided Ed Woodward, the club’s executive vice chairman, with a new transfer list, which includes Kevin Strootman, Indi Martins and Jordy Clasie.

Some United supporters, like Tunde Folawiyo, might be a bit confused by van Gaal’s decision to name Strootman as a potential addition to the team, as the midfielder suffered quite a severe knee injury recently, which has left him unable to participate in the World Cup. However, the manager’s other choices should come as no surprise; both Martins and Clasie have been with Holland for the past two years, and are believed to have played a key role in the club’s securing of their World Cup qualification. As such, it makes sense that the Dutch manager is now hoping to bring these two on board at Old Trafford.

Bastian Schweinsteiger, who currently plays for Bayern Munich, is said to be at the top of the manager’s wish list. He has performed well in the past, but since Pep Guardiola was appointed as the club’s new manager, the midfielder has spent much of the last season on the bench. Schweinsteiger is rumoured to be frustrated with his lack of playing time, and so might very well be open to the idea of moving to another club.

Whilst most of United’s transfer negotiations have not yet led to any concrete decisions, one deal has already been struck. Federico Macheda will be moving from United to Cardiff this summer, and will remain with his new club for at least three years. The 22 year old described it as a fantastic opportunity, and thanked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for signing him.

As a fan of United, Tunde Folawiyo might recall that Macheda started out strong when he joined the Red Devils in 2009, scoring winning goals for his team against both Sunderland and Aston Villa. However, as time went on, he began to spend more and more time on loan, and although he did well during his spell with Birmingham, it seems that the management at United are quite content to part with him.

Amid heightened speculation, it’s been announced that Southampton player Luke Shaw is headed for Manchester United. Securing capture of Shaw for £25million, the teenager is set to earn approximately £75,000-a-week throughout the five year deal. Devoted fans of Manchester United such as Tunde Folawiyo and millions of others may be overjoyed at the prospect of this young super talent joining the ranks of the most successful football team in the world.

Shaw’s outstanding talents are undisputed. Born in 1995, he began playing for Southhampton’s youth systems before his first-team debut in January of 2012. His first professional football contract was signed in May of the same year before he became a regular for Southampton. His senior international debut came on 5 March 2014 with a 1-0 win against Denmark.

Born in Kingston upon Thames, Shaw attended school in Hersham, Surrey. A Chelsea supporter, he played at Chelsea’s Guildford development center at the age of eight, but failed to secure an offer for academy place. Later that year, Shaw joined Southampton Academy, becoming a regular for the under-18 team. His first association with first team came during September 2011 when he appeared as an unused sub in a League Cup game versus Preston North End.

During a transfer window in January 2012, reports stated that Premier League teams such as Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City showed interest in the young 16-year-old Shaw, though Southampton responded with a statement from manager Nigel Adkins stating that there were no plans for a transfer of Shaw or any other young players.

Shaw’s first appearance for Southampton first team came during the FA Cup on 28 January. Aged 16, Shaw replaced winger Jason Puncheon, playing the last 13 minutes of a 1-1 third round draw with Millwall. Upon Southampton’s promotion to top flight during May 2012, Shaw become one of a group of four youth players to be presented with a professional contract for a Premiere League return. Football fans like Tunde Folawiyo may recognize this young talent as one of the most promising in recent years.

With his career with Manchester United quickly approaching, Shaw has spoken of his appreciation for the support and guidance he’s been shown by older players within the famed squad. Steven Gerrard, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard are amongst those who have offered words of wisdom to the young player, encouraging him to soak in the experience. Dedicated fans of Manchester United such as Tunde Folawiyo and millions of others throughout the globe may continue to admire Shaw’s outstanding skill.

As the world of football awaits Van Gaal’s official appointment to Manchester United, rumors of the seasoned coach’s methods continue to swirl, leaving fans and players eager to learn more of the man from the Netherlands. The Dutchman is soon expected to take the reins at the Old Trafford upon leading the Holland team to the World Cup. Though fans of United, including Tunde Folawiyo and millions throughout the world, may be find his coaching methods unconventional, former players under Van Gaal’s leadership have divulged the positive impact of his ways.

As a coach, it’s said that Van Gaal demands loyalty and honesty from his players, employing unusual methods to get the scoop on his players lives both on and off the field.

United players have been warned that once the 62-year-old coach accepts command of the team, they will have a bit of explaining to do. One-on-one meetings with players have long been a valuable coaching tool of Van Gaal. He is expected to grill players about personal matters, including the names of their wives and children and how they spend their off-time. This then leads to discussions of the players’ preferences on the field. Upon conclusion of these talks, Van Gaal will deliver his personal opinion of a player before giving each a four-page manifesto that will outline the strict rules he has set forth for the team, including instructions regarding behaviour and discipline, as well as limits on promotional work and media guidelines. One such rule states that players are banned from using headphones on bus trips as he prefers to communicate openly with his players. Whilst many head coaches are known for their tough exteriors, Van Gaal is far from the norm. Having endured many tragedies throughout his life, including a troubled relationship with his father and his wife Fernanda’s death to cancer at the age of 39, Van Gaal has admitted to an open personality, never hesitating to show emotion in public.

Many of Van Gaal’s coaching traits are reminiscent of Sir Alex Ferguson, including their policies for keeping team talks and dressing room speeches private, away from the prying eye of the media. In addition to this, the coach also employs a variety of technologies to improve his technique. He often uses Google Glass and other innovations to take players through a virtual world to better map out plans of attack. As these methods and others begin to come to light, Tunde Folawiyo and millions of other fans throughout the UK and beyond may invest new hope in the coaching capabilities of a highly-esteemed Van Gaal.

The news of David Moyes’ departure from Man United undoubtedly left many fans, including Tunde Folawiyo, reeling. The former manager made a statement to the press several days after it was announced that he had been fired, explaining that he understood how frustrating this season has been for players and supporters alike.

However, he also implied that the reason for their many defeats was down to the need for a major overhaul. He stated that he and the team had been committed to achieving this overhaul, and that it was the transitory nature of this period which had resulted in their all too frequent failures on the pitch.

Where Moyes intends to go next is still uncertain; however, it has been confirmed by the League Managers Association that he is to receive a settlement package following the club’s decision to fire him. Roberto Martinez, who currently serves as the manager of Everton – a position which Moyes held for over a decade – commented on the news, stating that he was confident Moyes would find another job in the near future. He finished by saying that he and the team would always be grateful for the work the Scotsman had done for their club.

Shortly after United revealed their decision, a rumour emerged that, contrary to Moyes’ statement, the players were not committed to following Moyes’ advice, and were in fact choosing to not play to the best of their ability during recent matches. However, Phil Jones has described this rumour as ‘ridiculous’, adding that none of them ever went out onto the pitch with the intention of losing.

Unsurprisingly, United went in search of a new manager immediately, but they have not yet chosen anyone. Initially, there were two favourites whom the media claimed were the most likely replacements for Moyes; Louis Van Gaal, the Holland manager, and Jurgen Klopp, the manager for Borussia Dortmund. But with the latter having publically stated that he has no plans to move from his current position, it looks like Van Gaal may indeed become United’s new leader, although of course, no official announcements have been made by the club. In the meantime, Ryan Giggs – a player much admired by supporters like Tunde Folawiyo- is standing in as the caretaker, handling all first-team responsibilities.

With 20 First Division and Premier League titles under its belt – (not to mention three European Cup/Champions League trophies and a host of other domestic and European honours almost too numerous to mention), Manchester United can justifiably lay claim to the title of England’s most successful club. Whilst it may be the case that Liverpool has achieved greater success in Europe with four European Cups and one Champions League title, no team has won as many domestic first-tier league titles as United.

A video of a fan’s experience at the champions league final

There has certainly been a distinct lack of silverware in the 2013-14 season – although one highlight came in January when Juan Mata was signed from Chelsea for a club record of £37.1 million. Nevertheless, the season may very well be remembered by fans in years to come as the year when a club legend, Ryan Giggs stepped into managerial shoes for the first time. Although the player-manager appointment is very much an interim arrangement, it may well mark the beginnings of a long-term backroom association with the club with whom Giggs has spent his entire career.

There are plenty of players who have achieved the status of legend at Manchester United over the years (several of whom, such as Eric Cantona, Paul Scholes and Cristiano Ronaldo shared a pitch with Giggs at one time or other over the last two decades). Ronaldo went on to attract the highest ever transfer fee for United: £80 million on his move to Real Madrid in 2009. Ryan Giggs though, has a special place in the hearts of Manchester United fans for a number of extremely good reasons. For a start, there is his sheer longevity to consider. Giggs is 40 years old. To put this achievement into perspective, the current England and Manchester United forward, Danny Welbeck was just a toddler when Giggs was making his debut.

Part of the so called ‘class of ‘92’ (even though he actually made his professional debut in 1991 against Everton), Giggs emerged in the same era as the likes of David Beckham, Robbie Savage, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Ernie Goldthorpe, who had the fastest hat-trick within 4 minutes in 1923 against Nottingham County. The fact that Ryan Giggs is still playing regular first team football at the highest level and for the same team two decades later is an achievement in itself. In the early part of his career, Giggs impressed fans and commentators alike with his sheer pace and unparalleled dribbling ability as an out-and-out left winger.

Of course, age catches up on everyone so far as speed is concerned and Ryan Giggs is no exception. Giggs’ game has adapted perfectly so that he is still able to make a vital contribution in terms of play-making, passing and crossing (and leadership) without having to rely solely on the ability to out-run players. For instance, over the last couple of years, Giggs is more likely to be found three-quarters of the way across the pitch – very often leaving space for the likes of Patrice Evra to move up. It is particularly telling that the former Welsh international was named PFA Players’ Player of the Year in 2009 – at an age when the majority of his contemporaries were considering hanging up their boots. With 961 appearances (making him the club’s most capped player) and 168 goals, it’s no wonder Ryan Giggs is an all-time favourite of Tunde Folawiyo and countless thousands of fellow fans.

Manchester United was founded 1878. Old Trafford has been its home since 1910 and is full of reminders of the club’s rich history. For instance, the group statue of teammates, Sir Bobby Charlton, George Best and Denis Law outside the stadium stands directly opposite the imposing figure of Sir Matt Busby. Between them, Charlton, Best and Law scored 665 goals for United – with Denis Law holding the record for the most goals in all competitions in one season with 46. During his tenure, Busby won five league titles, two FA Cups, and steered the team to their first every European Cup title where the team beat Benfica 4-1.

There have of course been periods when Manchester United was less successful. 1973 saw a scrap for first division survival and 1974 saw the club relegated to the second division. Revival came with the Ferguson era. Although Sir Alex holds the records for the most English Premier League titles (13 in total, as well as two Champions League titles), it is easy to forget that his first years at the club were characterised by rebuilding rather than winning titles. Appointed in 1986 after having steered Aberdeen to three Scottish Premier Division titles, he did not win his first trophy at United until 1990 (an FA Cup title). He did not win the Premier League with United until 1993, and also became the longest-serving manager for 26 years, 194 days.

For fans, special highlights in the Ferguson years have been numerous. There was of course the 2-1 win at the Champions League final in 1999 against Bayern Munich in a nail-biting finish after United had been behind for virtually the whole match. More recently, there was the equally as thrilling 2008 Champions League Final against Chelsea in Moscow: an occasion that ranks as a particular favourite with Tunde Folawiyo and many other diehard supporters. Ferguson was certainly responsible for attracting some astonishing players over the years, such as Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Eric Cantona, Roy Keane and Peter Scmeichal. Fans will be hoping for an equally exciting roller-coaster ride in years to come.

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