New England

Today we have Carrick back in the England squad:

“Michael Carrick would have always been in our thinking,” Hodgson said.

“I was given to believe he didn’t want to be part of the England set-up.

“He didn’t want to be considered for the Euros so I reluctantly thought if people are not available they are not available.

“He has had discussions with Gary and me since and it turns out that he does want to play.

“This is an ideal opportunity to invite him to come and play for England again.

“There has never been any doubt that Carrick has not been in our thoughts or our wishes. It was more a case of believing he wasn’t available for England and it was a final decision.”

Our share flotation didn't get off to the most auspicious start, from The Guardian:

United's initial public offering (IPO) was the largest and most high profile in New York since Facebook's ill-fated listing in May. United's co-chairmen Avram and Joel Glazer and the chief executive David Gill applauded the start of trading from the Wall Street exchange's balcony, which was adorned with the club's emblem. Some traders even wore the club's trademark red home kit. But the support did little to boost the stock price.

The already troubled sale hit another bump late Thursday as United's bankers, who had been looking to charge between $16 and $20 for the shares, slashed the price to launch the sale at $14 (£9). The move shaved as much as $100m off the proceeds expected for the team and its owners. Even at the new low price, enthusiasm was lacking. Shares eked up just 5 cents in early trading and ended the day at $14.

The Independent quotes an ever and necessarily optimistic David Gill:

Mr Gill denied supporters' claims that the Glazers were stripping funds out of the club with the flotation, rather than using the money to spend on new players following a disappointing season.

"It was disappointing but as a club, we are not impacted at all by the capital structure. I've been in this business for 15 years... along with the Glazers, I know that what happens on the pitch is a key factor in what happens off the pitch."

Elsewhere, Mancini bigs up our still only alleged and still as far as I'm concerned unlikely signing of van Persie:

“If United buy Van Persie it’s better for them.

“They need a player like Van Persie. He can play for any team as he’s a top player.

“We won the league on goal difference but we scored more goals, conceded fewer and beat United twice. We were also on top for 20 games.

“But the margin was very tight and United start favourites this year. We’re maybe second, third or fourth position. We have only 20 days until the end of the transfer window and I don’t think we have a chance of getting him.

“Van Persie is an Arsenal or a United player — I don’t know what will happen.”