Transfer and other rumours.

Sunderland have made a £6million bid for Manchester United Alan Smith. Middlesbrough and Everton are also in the race to sign the striker. West Ham is looking to sign Smith and Barcelona's Eidur Gudjohnsen.

Barcelona fancy-dan midfielder Deco apparently wants to play for Jose Mourinho again, reports the Sun.
The Brazilian-born Portuguese international is DESPERATE to work with the Special One again, but goes with the classic line of 'at the moment I'm a Barcelona player'

Juventus have confirmed their interest in Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze.

Bolton are ready to sell Abdoulaye Faye, wanted by old boss Sam Allardyce at Newcastle.

Robert Pires wants Nicolas Anelka to join him at Villarreal in Spain.

Seol Ki-Hyeon is ready to quit Reading to become the latest addition to Lawrie Sanchez's Fulham revolution.

Everton have accepted a £4m offer from Sheffield United for James Beattie.

PSG defender Boukary Dreme is attracting interest from Magpies boss Sam Allardyce.

Chelsea's gruelling pre-season programme has taken its toll, with another six players added to their growing injury list ahead of the Community Shield.

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has played down reports of a major bust-up with striker Andy Cole.

Ferguson on Fernando Torres.

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Liverpool's new record signing Fernando Torres will be a big hit at Anfield, after confirming that Manchester United had been keen to land the Spain striker.

Ferguson told The Daily Mail: "Torres is athletic, he's brave enough and he'll run the channels for them, which he did well in Madrid.

"He's good in the air and has got a physique and he's quicker than you think.

"Over the past few years there has been some interest for us in Torres, but every time he signed a new contract. Sometimes you get fed up with that kind of thing."

Twenty-three-year-old frontman Torres made a £26.5million switch to the Reds this summer after finally deciding to leave Atletico Madrid, having previously been strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford.

Manchester United Gabriel Heinze and Patrice Evra

Sir Alex Ferguson has ruled out any possibility of Gabriel Heinze leaving Manchester United for Liverpool.
The £6million offer was immediately rejected by United, even though it met their private valuation.
Many clubs from across Europe have also been linked with the 29-year-old, including Spanish champions Real Madrid, but it is unclear if anyone else has made an offer.
Real Madrid and Inter Milan have both been linked with the 29-year-old, who has become something of a folk hero among United fans because of the robust nature of his defending.
Ferguson is not convinced that the left-back is determined to leave the club, but if he was to stay he'd be competing with Patrice Evra for a place in the starting line-up.

Defender Patrice Evra,  admitted that he will no be the first choice left back but will fight for his place. Despite his recent form, the Frenchman does not believe his place in the first-team is set in stone. He told Sky Sports News: “I'm not the first choice, I'm just a player for Manchester United. 
Evra also had a few words for his team mate, saying: “Football is quick and you don't know. Gaby maybe is back and Mikael (Silvestre) I thought he played very well.

“I say when you do not give your best, the boss will take you on the bench. Nobody, in every game, is sure to play the game.”

Owen Hargreaves talks about Man.United.

Article from BBC Sport

New Manchester United signing Owen Hargreaves said he plans to win plenty of silverware at Old Trafford.

The England midfielder signed a reported £17m four-year deal after signing from Bayern Munich on 1 July.

"I'm looking forward to the next four seasons and having a lot of success and winning as many titles as possible," said the 26-year-old.

"There are so many fantastic players here and I think I'm just piece of a puzzle really."

Hargreaves added: "Every player brings his qualities and obviously mine are in the defensive midfield area.

"Hopefully I can win some tackles and keep a clean sheet for the back four, give them some protection and get the ball to the fantastic offensive players that we have.

"I'm 26, I've spent 10 years at a great club like Bayern Munich and had a lot of success as well.

"I'm looking forward to the next chapter in my career and to have the opportunity to play for one of, if not the, biggest club in the world."

Hargreaves was unveiled on Monday along with fellow new signing in Portuguese winger Nani.

"We have been monitoring Nani for almost as long as Cristiano," said United coach Sir Alex Ferguson.

"In a perfect world, he would have stayed in Portugal for another year but circumstances forced us into action.

"He is different to Cristiano in that he can play on both sides of the pitch but also in the middle. He is quick, has a terrific engine and I know we are getting a very talented, flexible player."