Foster pens Reds deal

Report by Ben Hibbs

United have confirmed that Ben Foster has agreed terms on a new contract extension, which will see him remain at Old Trafford until at least June 2013.

The United goalkeeper, who joined the Reds back in the summer of 2005, said he was glad to commit himself to Old Trafford for a further four years.

"I’m really happy to commit my future to the club," he told ManUtd.com.

"The team spirit here is fantastic and working along side Edwin and Tomasz has been a great influence on my career.”

Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson sees the England international keeper as United's potential future no.1 and the heir to Edwin van der Sar's jersey.

“We are delighted that Ben has signed a new four-year deal," the boss added.

"Ben is seen as one of the best young goalkeepers in England and we genuinely see him as a successor to Edwin.”

Blog: Tactics set to change?

Report by Simon O'Hare

During a summer of chopping and changing of personnel, Reds fan Simon O'Hare wonders how United's formation and tactics might alter...

It was classic Ferguson: as the gossip columns linked United with the same old transfer targets, the old master surprised us all. But as the ink dries on Michael Owen's contract, we’re left with some pertinent questions; how will his arrival, and that of Antonio Valencia, impact on United's tactics next season? Will Sir Alex continue with the fluid, free-flowing football of recent? Might we see a return to 4-4-2?

Last term was record-breaking for United as our rock-solid back four and goalkeeper rightly took the plaudits for that incredible run of clean sheets. However, the team as a whole played its part in making United so hard to beat.

The cliché ‘defend from the front’ had never been truer: United's lone striker and hardworking wide players halted opposition breakaways before they even began. But with the immense defensive record came United's most modest goals-for column since the 2004/05 season.

The emergence of the 4-3-3 formation is a growing trend in the modern game at the top level, with each of the so-called big four deploying some variation of the theme. The work ethic of a wide player such as Rooney or Park - Liverpool's Kuyt is another - benefits the team defensively by helping to dominate midfield possession.

Look back ten years at United's wonderful attacking 4-4-2 in the treble-winning campaign and it seems almost quaint in its single-minded desire for goals. Two out-and-out strikers, and two attacking wingers, backed up by a penetrating central midfield duo.

Since that treble win, United's tactics have gradually evolved in line with the wider trend. Jose Mourinho was perhaps the major influence – although Carlos Queiroz should take credit, too – as Chelsea's physical title-winning side threatened to out-muscle all two-man central midfields that came before them.

This summer's transfer activity might just herald the next stage in the evolution of United's tactics under Sir Alex. It would be fantastic if United remain hard to break down, but it would be even more impressive if next season's remodelled attack sees the team score lots of goals.

As an out-and-out striker, Owen brings something new to the squad, as Tevez, Rooney, Berbatov and Ronaldo preferred to attack from deep. If United operate with a central strike pairing more often next season, with Valencia attacking from the wide areas, then we could be in for a treat.

The views expressed in this blog are personal to the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Manchester United FC.

Michael Owen

Antonio Valencia

Wayne Rooney

Dimitar Berbatov

Papers: In the Hunt

Back in the Hunt
Alex Ferguson is preparing to make a £20million raid for Real Madrid striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar. The Manchester United boss had his eye on the Dutchman before he joined the La Liga side from Ajax in January. But Huntelaar, 25, has struggled to make an impact after scoring 113 goals in 136 games in Holland. He failed to make Real's Champions League squad. And he has fallen further down the pecking order following the arrivals of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema. Now Fergie, who had the player scouted all last year, is ready to make a new bid to land him after losing out on Benzema. United will have to match the £20m Madrid paid for the hitman. An Old Trafford source said: "Huntelaar is somebody we have known about for a good while. There was more than a passing interest last time out."
Phil Thomas, The Sun

The Sun also claims United will wrap up the £8million signing of French winger Gabriel Obertan from Bordeaux post-haste. The 20-year-old will allegedly sign a four-year contract today, after passing a medical at Carrington yesterday.

In The Times, Matt Dickinson argues "there is surely no more pressing concern for Sir Alex Ferguson than the heart of his midfield". With Owen Hargreaves looking increasingly doubtful to start the season, Dickinson says "serious money" should be spent on a top-class holding player.

And finally... The Sun drops the bombshell that, as yet, the United Megastore have not sold a single Michael Owen shirt. That's the same Michael Owen who doesn't yet have a squad number, while there are still nine days before the new home kit goes on sale.

Round up by Steve Bartram

Meet... Mike Clegg

Next up, we speak to strength and conditioning coach Mike Clegg who is entrusted with the physical development of every player...

Morning Mike. So tell us about your role at the club?
My base is the Carrington gym and my job really is just to be available whenever anyone wants me. I deal with the first team, the Reserves and the Academy lads and it’s up to me to provide the right type of indoor training for their outdoor needs.

How important is the work the players do in the gym?
It's never going to be as important as that done on the pitch, but more and more players are putting time and effort into their gym work to help build up their strength because it can have such a big effect on the field. All of our lads are very dedicated to the gym side of their training, but it’s important to get the right balance between the work done on the training pitch and in here. It’s my job to look after the gym part and make sure the players do the absolute right amount because it’s very easy to do too much. They all have their own personal training plans and I work closely with [fitness coach] Tony Strudwick and his team to help ensure those plans get the best out of each player.

We hear football and United in particular has always been a big part of the family…
Well, I’ve been a United fan since I was born and two of my sons, Michael and Stephen, were both players at the club as youngsters. We’ve had a family gym in Ashton-under-Lyne for 25 years so we’re all fitness fanatics! All of my five kids now coach or are involved in our gym. Michael is Sunderland’s fitness coach, while Stephen is working part-time at the club with me. The work I did with my two lads during their time at United actually helped me get the job here. They weren’t the most skilful players, but they were very powerful, strong guys. They were both small full-backs, so they needed that extra strength that I’d help them develop at the gym. The club recognised the work I'd done with them and [head physiotherapist] Rob Swire brought me in on an occasional basis from February 2000, before I joined as a permanent member of staff.

What’s the best thing about the job?
Without question it’s seeing the development of a player as a youngster all the way through to the first team. And I’ve been lucky enough to work with quite a few who have achieved that feat. I came midway through the careers of the likes of Ryan [Giggs], Gary [Neville] and Paul [Scholes], but I’ve been here since Danny Welbeck joined the club and he’s doing brilliantly, and I’ve seen the fantastic progress made by players like Fletch, John O’Shea and Wes [Brown].

As well as working with the players, Inside United readers saw how you also put some members of the editorial team through a session at your gym…
They were all very brave! It was tough, but I wanted to give them something different to the training they’d been doing - there’s no point pussyfooting around! I made sure I told them exactly what they had to do beforehand and allowed them to do as much as they felt they could; how much they pushed themselves was down to them. They all did great and I’d certainly give them 10 out of 10 for effort.

Giggs backs Hospice walk

Report by Gemma Thompson

Ryan Giggs recently took time out to lend his support to a special Midnight Walk in aid of the East Cheshire Hospice.

The United winger, who is a patron for the charity, met hospice patients and staff at the launch of the event which takes place on Saturday 12 September 2009 starting at midnight. The 10k roundtrip walk will begin at Macclesfield Leisure Centre and pass through Prestbury and Tytherington.

Last year's walk raised over £72,000 and Giggs is urging people to get involved and help generate even more funds for the charity.

"The £72,000 raised last year went towards the cost of Phase 1 of the fantastic new development at the hospice which I was very proud to officially open a few weeks ago," said Ryan. "I’d encourage everyone to get their boots on this year to raise even more money."

Over 570 people took part in the 2008 walk and the charity are hoping to hit the 1000 mark this time round with the aim of raising in excess of £100,000.

"Fancy dress is very much encouraged and there will be a prize for the best outfit. We want to make it a real party atmosphere," added Chief Executive Jayne Bessant.