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Manchester United chief executive David Gill admits this summer will be a busier one than usual at Old Trafford.

The club look set to bring in new recruits after a humbling defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League final, with Sir Alex Ferguson and Gill also hoping to clear up the future of Paul Scholes.

The Red Devils are hopeful the summer can be spent creating the foundations of a club that can challenge the Catalan giants, as well as stave off the growing threat of neighbours Manchester City.

"It will be a busier than usual summer this year," Gill told MUTV.

"I will be going away at some point in June and be back for the start of our tour but I will be on with player stuff for the next few weeks I am sure."

Halting progress

With the future in mind Ferguson has also hit out at a ruling on young players which he feels is slowing the development of home-grown talent.

The manager feels English teams are being handicapped by rules agreed between the Football Association and Premier League that prevent clubs working with youngsters aged 16 and under for any longer than 90 minutes a day.

"People have to understand the mechanics of the industry we are working in," Ferguson said.

"We are only allowed to coach youngsters for an hour and a half, they [barcelona] can coach every hour of the day if they want to.

"That's the great advantage they have got. It is a fantastic philosophy.

"We hope that in years to come our coaches will be able to spend more time with young kids, to teach them the basics, the technical abilities and the confidence to keep the ball all the time.

"We are good at it, but not as good as Barcelona at this moment in time.

"It is a wonderful challenge and we should always accept a challenge."

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Ravel Morrison is The One.

He will either be football’s greatest treasure . . or its ­latest tragedy.

He is only 18. The choice between fame and oblivion is his.

He can repay Manchester United’s faith, defy the ­demons and become rich beyond reason.

Or he can revert to type, succumb to self-destructive anger and become just ­another doomed youth.

Last week was a snapshot of a schizophrenic life.

It was shaped in ­Wythenshawe, an estate in south Manchester blighted by the modern evils of gun crime and gang culture.

Morrison was a child of the streets, glowering out at the world beneath a Hoodie.

On Monday he was man of the match as United won the FA Youth Cup for the 10th time.

He scored twice, won a penalty and justified his reputation as the most ­naturally-talented player to emerge at Old Trafford since Paul Scholes

On Tuesday, Gary Neville’s testimonial reminded him of the unqualified love football fans reserve for one of their own.

The principal lesson of Neville’s career – that in ­football as in life, you get out what you put in – has never been more relevant.

On Wednesday, Morrison escaped the prison sentence that almost certainly would have ended his United ­career.

He was fined for criminal damage and, for the second time in two years, his ­girlfriend refused to press assault ­charges.

Last night at Wembley, he was shown what he has to lose.

A place in history, a storied contribution to something that is bigger than him.

The court heard he is paid £3,400 on the 25th of each month. Stay clean, stay safe, and those earnings will be multiplied by 100.

Assessing Morrison’s talent – the basis of such an equation – is the easy bit.

He is beautifully balanced, blessed with a searing turn of pace and strength of shot on either foot. Morrison’s vision, close control, physical dexterity and unerring opportunism remind me of David Villa.

There is a touch of Wayne Rooney, the street footballer, in his instinctive refusal to be intimidated.

He can play in central ­midfield or anywhere across a modern, fluid, front three.

Yet is he worth the effort?

His consistent rejection of authority and his hair-trigger temper led to the court ­ordering him to seek counselling.

Morrison was 15 when he was cautioned for assaulting his mother. Two days after turning ­professional on his 17th ­birthday he was ­arrested for intimidating a witness and given a ­12-month referral order.

His coaches at England level were on the verge of giving up on him.

It is easy to be cynical to suggest the quality of ­United’s mercy is linked to the rarity of his talent.

But one of the traits of Sir Alex Ferguson’s ­management is his devotion to the club’s duty of care

United’s tradition of youth development, established by Sir Matt Busby, occasionally involves the application of peer pressure.

I’m told Rio Ferdinand even offered to take ­Morrison into his family home.

We forget that footballers are a cross section of ­society.

Ferdinand grew up in a ground floor flat in Peckham where the street tsars ruled.

John Terry admits that some of his boyhood friends are in prison, on the dole or dead.

Paul Ince, a former Old Trafford Guvnor, came from a similarly bleak ­background.

Morrison’s value as a rehabilitated role model would be immeasurable.

On the pitch, great players are defined by the quality of the decisions they take, under pressure.

Off it, the same principle applies.

There are small signs of hope, but the choice is ­Morrison’s.

For his sake, pray he makes the right one.

Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/michael-calvin/Michael-Calvin-on-Manchester-United-Why-Ravel-Morrison-must-now-make-choice-between-fame-and-oblivion-article741700.html#ixzz1NsdasQxq

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Dimitar Berbatov has vowed to stay at Manchester United after admitting he felt 'ashamed' to be left out of the UEFA Champions League final.

The Bulgarian striker, who finished the season as the joint leading scorer in the Premier League, did not even make the bench for United's 3-1 defeat by Barcelona last weekend.

He was overlooked in favour of Michael Owen for a substitute's role and he spent the game at Wembley watching the action from the dressing room.

His absence from the touchline sparked suggestions that Berbatov could have played his last game for United, with the likes of Newcastle United and Borussia Dortmund linked with summer bids.

However, the 30-year-old explained why he was not sat alongside his team-mates and remains determined to stay at Old Trafford next season.

Fighting

"If I were an easy quitter, I would never have made it this far. Everything at Manchester United starts from scratch for me on July 4."

Dimitar Berbatov Quotes of the week

"I will stay," Berbatov told Bulgarian television. "I will fight for the 20th title.

"If I were an easy quitter, I would never have made it this far. Everything at Manchester United starts from scratch for me on July 4.

"There will be new finals and we will be fighting for new titles. I am moving ahead. When you go through difficult times, you should not quit.

"The truth is that I stayed at the dressing room and watched the Champions League final there, on a TV screen.

"I was really disappointed. I was ashamed that I was not part of the team and did not want people to see how sad I feel."

real dude i probably would have done the same.

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I other news

Manchester United striker Michael Owen has signed a new one-year deal at the club.

Owen's previous deal expired at the end of the season, but United have taken up the option to extend it for a further 12 months.

The 31-year-old played a bit-part role in United's title-winning campaign this season, making only 11 Premier League appearances and starting just once.

Owen has always maintained his desire to stay at United and he is delighted to win the contract extension and is already looking forward to next season

"I'm delighted to have agreed a one-year extension to my contract," Owen told the club's official website.

Inspiration

"To play alongside so many great players, under an exceptional manager, and in front of so many incredibly passionate supporters, is a real inspiration.

"I can't wait for next season to start."

"To play alongside so many great players, under an exceptional manager, and in front of so many incredibly passionate supporters, is a real inspiration."

Michael Owen on his new deal Quotes of the week

Sir Alex Ferguson was happy to keep the former Liverpool man at Old Trafford for another 12 months.

"Michael has proved to be a top footballer. It's unfortunate Michael didn't get more opportunities but the form of Chicharito put everyone in the shade and his partnership with Rooney proved invaluable.

"I am delighted Michael is staying for a further year and we will look to give him more opportunities in the new season."

<_<

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Guest haze-e

Smh.

How much is Owen getting paid here?

If Kiko/Welbeck get sent on loan again I just smell another Rossi, especially in Kiko's case.

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pmsl that everyone forgets Mame Birame, remember not too long ago SAF said he wants to try get all the players back from loan.

IMO, if say Welbeck's only gunna get a few games and play League Cup, I'd prefer he goes out on loan for another season, to someone like Bolton if they don't get Sturridge.

Diouf must be gone.

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Why do you say that? @ Laid Back

As much talent as he's got, he's too injury prone. Way way to injury prone.

My comment was a bit thoughtless as he may just have had a bad 1/2 seasons and does show genuine promise but these seasons hes spending mostly injured are when he needs to be learning the most.

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dunno why berba is not rated by guys

very under appreciated

This, I read someone saying that Berba has been sh*t the last few months and that the team has been built around him since he arrived. ffs

Berba is still miles better than Welbeck, this season's done him well going out on loan, bar a few injuries.

I'd like to see Welbeck and Macheda both having a season full of games..

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Guest haze-e

I actually love Berbs. His whole style and swagger on the pitch, as frustrating as it may be at times.

If Kiko and Welbeck can wait one more season (And do well on loan) im sure they will be in and around the first team the season after.

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wtf @ Owen. wanted that scouse shite house gone

could give a toss whether Berbs stays or not

but to give him credit he's not moaned or complained once when dropped in big games and seems to carry himself with a bit of 'class'

i wouldnt be against him leaving and someone else a lil' bit more mobile/direct coming in or one of the kids (welbeck or macheda) gettin' promoted

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