Evra relishing Asia return

Report by James Tuck

Bringing joy to thousands of fans on the other side of the world always makes Patrice Evra proud to be a Red.

United return to Asia on Thursday for the first time since becoming world champions in Japan in December, and two years after a memorable pre-season trip to the Far East. Evra is looking forward to a similar experience this year.

"We have great memories of our last trip to Asia when we won the Club World Cup and it’s always a pleasure to go back," the defender told MUTV. "You feel like you are a pop star when you’re there – the supporters just go crazy wherever we go!

"It’s a privilege to represent the club on these trips and it makes you realise that it doesn’t matter where you live in the world, the club is just one big family."

This month's tour takes in four games in four different countries over eight days. As is the norm on pre-season trips, the players will take part in several charity and community events in between the friendlies.

"One of the great things about going on tour is being able to visit and meet some of the people from local communities," Evra continued. "I visited an orphanage on the last tour in 2007, which was amazing.

"I love being with children and the kids on that visit really touched my heart. That’s my best memory from the last trip."

Visit our Asia Tour 2009 section to keep up with all the latest tour news, and watch the games live on MUTV.

Gallery: Pre-season training

Report by Ben Hibbs

The players have been back in training this week, and on Friday our official photographer headed down to Carrington to capture the first shots of Michael Owen in training with his new team-mates.

Owen, who signed for the Reds this month on a free transfer, looks to have settled in at United already - of course, he already knows many of his new team-mates from the England set-up.

The Reds are now in full preparation mode for the 2009/10 campaign, and the squad are getting ready to fly out on the pre-season tour of Asia late next week.

But while there's plenty of hard work being done to build fitness ahead of United's Barclays Premier League title defence and another European assault, there's still time to have some fun, as our exclusive pictures show.

Pictures by John & Matt Peters

Blog: Top of the tops

www.manutd.com

The distinctive new home kit - on sale on 16 July - got us thinking about our favourite ever United kits. Here they are (click the pic for a gallery)...

1984-86 white away
Paul Davies, editor United Review
Think of Robson’s 35-yarder against Liverpool in the ‘85 FA Cup semi-final replay – and, for that matter, Hughesie’s winner - made all the better as it was in my favourite kit of all time - white shirt, red trim, badge in the centre, black shoulder slashes. We might not have been the best team in that period, but we looked the part.

1992-94 green and yellow third
Nick Judd, deputy editor Inside United
The yellow and green halves of 1992/94 proved United take pride in history by harking back to the Newton Heath days. The timing coincided with the start of the most successful era in the club’s history, too – the 1993 title, the first of Sir Alex’s long tenure. Wasn’t so keen on the lace-up element, it used to hit you in the face!

1977-79 white away
Steve Morgan, features editor
The red-and-white away kit with the go-faster stripes - not the most glorious years for silverware, but boy, some indelible memories. Kids, this was the kit in which Jimmy Greenhoff stooped to conquer in the 1979 FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool (not a bad side back then).

1990-92 blue and white away
James Tuck, editor international websites
It wasn't to all Reds' taste because it was a bit, well, City-ish, but I loved this shirt and even bought a matching flowerpot hat (how cool I was in the '90s). Evokes memories of Lee Sharpe terrorising Arsenal in a 6-2 League Cup triumph at Highbury, and Choccy's League Cup final winner.

2009/10 home goalkeeper
Ben Hibbs, deputy editor ManUtd.com
Nike aren't paying me to say this, honest. Keeper shirts rarely get fans excited, especially not those 90s ones with the bulky and unfashionable elbow and shoulder pads. This one's a potential classic. OK, so Edwin, Ben and Tom won't remain all white for long, and OT's laundry ladies will have their work cut out removing grass stains, but I think this could be a favourite outside the goalkeeping fraternity.

1993/94 black third
Steve Bartram, contributing editor
My favourite is 1993/94's Sharp View-Cam black number. United always look meaner and more imposing in black away kits, and it conjures so many memories for me. The 3-3 at Anfield, Sharpey's shuffle at Villa, and, of course, Eric's infamous kung-fu kick at Selhurst Park.

1986-1988 home
James Adams, website designer
Although United's home kits through the 80's were all fairly similar, this is the one that brings together all the best bits. Funky socks, retro stripes and a tidy collar. Sharp.

What's your favourite United kit ever? Have your say on Talking Reds.

Order the new home 2009/10 shirt, or browse retro United shirts in our online megstore.

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

Win a trip to the Audi Cup

Report by Gemma Thompson

United head to Germany at the end of July to take part in the first ever Audi Cup and you could be there to see the Reds in action.

The tournament, which is being held at Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena, is part of the celebrations to mark 100 years of the Audi brand.

The Reds will contest the title with Bundesliga runners-up Bayern Munich, Argentinean side Boca Juniors and Italian giants AC Milan on 29 and 30 July.

Sir Alex's men will meet Boca in the first of the semi-finals on Wednesday 29 July, with the winner playing the victor of the match between Milan and Bayern the following evening. Prior to the final, the losing semi-finalists will contest a third place play-off.

Tickets are sold out for both United games, but we have a pair of tickets up for grabs and we'll also take care of flights, transfers and accommodation during your stay.

All you have to do is answer a simple question - enter now. Closing date: 17 July 2009 (17:00 BST).

Quiz the boss

Report by Nick Coppack

What's the one question you've always wanted to ask Sir Alex? Is there a burning issue you'd like to discuss with the great man?

Now's your chance! Inside United will be sitting down with the boss on Monday morning and plan to put a number of fans' questions to him.

Head to the dedicated Talking Reds thread and post your questions. The best will be asked direct to the manager and appear in an upcoming edition of Inside United.

Put your thinking caps on!

Transfer Rumours: Arrivals

After the £80m sale of Cristiano Ronaldo, the press are keen to stress that the Reds have money to burn, hence an ever-increasing list of players linked with big-money moves to Manchester.

The latest name on the grapevine is Inter's not-so-Swedish-sounding striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, priced at £30m. United are also apparently scouring Brazil, with Luis Fabiano, Nilmar and Douglas Costa mentioned.

It's all gone quiet on former supposed targets, Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery, Lyon's Karim Benzema (now with moneybags Madrid), Barcelona front man Samuel Eto’o, and Atletico Madrid forward Sergio Aguero. But after the unexpected arrival of Michael Owen, who knows what the rest of the summer has in store?

Manchester United has a policy of not commenting on transfer speculation.