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.

Martin joins Keane's Ipswich

Report by Steve Bartram

Lee Martin has joined Roy Keane's Ipswich Town for an undisclosed fee.

The 22-year-old winger, who joined the Reds as a 16-year-old, has signed a four-year deal with the Tractor Boys, ending a United career in which he made three first-team appearances.

The bulk of his senior experience came in friendlies and during a spate of loan deals – six in total. Lee spent time with Royal Antwerp, Rangers, Stoke City, Plymouth Argyle, Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest, before returning to Carrington in late 2008.

There he re-ignited his career with a string of superb performances with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Reserves, culminating in a final senior appearance at Hull City on the final day of last season.

Upon signing for Ipswich, Lee said: “It obviously wasn’t an easy decision, leaving a club like Manchester United, but I know how ambitious the manager is here and I’m delighted to be part of his plans for the future.

"It’s also important for me to be playing regular first-team football and hopefully I can play my part in helping Ipswich get back in the Premier League."

Martin's move reunites him with Ipswich manager Roy Keane, who added: "Lee was a young lad at Manchester United when I was there and he showed a lot of promise. He’s ambitious and wants to get back to the top level and I’m delighted he wants to do that with Ipswich Town."

Papers: Youngster to sign

United to sign Obertan
Manchester United are set to sign Bordeaux's 20-year-old forward Gabriel Obertan, according to reports. Obertan, who has been described by scouts as "rapid, physical and skilful in front of goal" was also wanted by Arsenal, Milan and Internazionale, claimed the French newspaper L'Équipe. The Bordeaux president Jean-Louis Triaud was quoted as saying: "It's actually a great opportunity, we would love to see Gabriel evolve at such a club." L'Équipe compared Obertan to Liverpool's French forward David Ngog and added that the transfer fee has not been disclosed but an agreement between United and Bordeaux has been in place for several weeks.
Staff reporter, The Guardian

The Daily Mail claims United will raid Champions League conquerors Barcelona for holding midfielder Yaya Toure. The Ivory Coast international is allegedly being eyed as a potential replacement if Owen Hargreaves fails to return from injury.

One new arrival, Michael Owen, is tipped by former manager Graeme Souness to succeed at United. "I don't think Michael is shot," says the Scot. "The move will excite him and give him a new lease of life."

The Reds could reap further funds from the sale of £6million-rated Fraizer Campbell to Hull or Sunderland, and The Daily Mirror claims United are insisting on a 25 percent sell-on clause in any deal for the 21-year-old.

Round up by Steve Bartram

Gabriel Obertan

Yaya Toure

Michael Owen

Owen Hargreaves

Fraizer Campbell

Michael Owen

His arrival at Old Trafford may have raised a few eyebrows, but in Michael Owen, United have signed one of the finest goalscorers in the history of English football.

The former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Newcastle United striker has scored over 200 goals at club level, and 40 goals in 89 England internationals.

Owen burst to prominence at his boyhood side, Liverpool, where he scored on his first team debut aged just 17. His lightning pace, untraceable movement and clinical finishing made him a Premier League revelation, and it wasn’t long before he took the international stage by storm.


The 1998 World Cup in France was Michael’s springboard, as he scored an incredible solo goal in England’s second-round encounter with Argentina. While red-carded United winger David Beckham was left to carry the can for the Three Lions’ penalty shootout exit, Owen was a national hero.

His Liverpool career went from strength to strength, and in 2001 his part in the Merseysider’s triple cup haul of UEFA Cup, FA Cup and League Cup – together with international exertions, which included a hat-trick against Germany – earned him the Ballon d’Or and FWA Player of the Year awards.

Michael left Liverpool after eight years following the arrival of new manager Rafael Benitez, swapping countries with the new man at the Anfield helm as he moved to Real Madrid. Although he was only in La Liga for a season, Owen bagged 14 goals in 22 starts for Real before a surprise £16million move to Newcastle.

A spate of injuries underscored Owen’s career at St James’ Park, and his four seasons with the Magpies yielded only 65 starts, although he did still notch 30 goals in that time. Michael’s contract expired in the summer of 2009, at which point Sir Alex Ferguson swooped to sign the famed goal-poacher on a free transfer, offering him a two-year deal.