Tactics historian, Jonathan Wilson, has this piece for the Guardian that discusses the increasing use of a back 3. This isn't really Manchester United related because I highly doubt you'll see a Sir Alex Ferguson side implement this system. However, it's an interesting tactical discussion and Wilson does talk about how he's finding difficulty in seeing the benefit of Roberto Mancini's 3-4-1-2 system from recent weeks.

As stated, from Yahoo Sports

Friend of the site Graham MacAree offers his opinion on the Robin van Persie signing. The title expresses his view quite clearly -- the winner of the deal is RvP and not United or Arsenal.

via - BBC Sport

The best part of the new season. New Kits!

New short Andersred piece on the IPO going out today.

No..... Won't ever happen. Not in a million years. Instead of giving you a list of reasons why it won't happen (I won't insult your intelligence), I shall start off a list of things that will happen before Usain Bolt makes a move to Manchester United Liverpool to win the PL Anderson to have an injury free season Arsenal to go through a whole game without a single defensive blunder England to win the World Cup Offer your own suggestions :)

Manchester United returned to pre season action today, in the first match of their pre season tour of Europe. Valerenga held us to a 0-0 draw in Norway. Nemanja Vidic returned to action, lasting 61 minutes, while Mike Phelan took charge today, as Fergie is away due to club matters Your guess is as good as mine on what these "matters are". Hopefully he is twisting a potential new signing's arm....

The Glazers are only selling around 10% of the club through the stock market listing, so they would be able to block any takeover bid launched immediately after the float.