Return of the Mack

Yesterday saw a return to match action for Darren Fletcher who played 30 minutes in a friendly against Aberdeen.  The Sun reports Sir Alex's comments after the game (which we lost 2-1):

“It has been quiet progress for the boy.

“He joined in training a couple of weeks ago and it’s one of those situations where you say ‘let’s see how he does’ because he’s had a really difficult time.

“Therefore, I was not really placing too much hope in it but let’s see how he does.

“He’s got to the stage where he feels he needs a game.

“I let him join Scotland this week but he wanted a game so I said ‘come to Aberdeen and join up afterwards’.”

If you believe what you read in the papers, the Robin Van Persie transfer is getting closer.  The Telegraph report that the two clubs are getting closer to an agreement:

United indicated that they were ready to improve their initial bid of around £12 million, which was rejected, and, while the two clubs remain apart in their valuations, they were locked in talks on Tuesday night.

United are understood to be Van Persie’s preferred destination but they are reluctant to spend more than £15 million on someone who is 29 and has a mixed injury record.

Arsenal have made it clear that they want at least £20 million for their captain and star player but there is now a hope that, with add-ons, agreement could be reached on a compromise deal.

The Manchester Evening News report on the signing of Chilean Angelo Henriquez:

Sir Alex Ferguson was on the verge on landing Chile starlet Angelo Henriquez last night – and the United manager will now try to finalise a deal for Robin van Persie.

The 18-year-old striker underwent a medical in Manchester yesterday ahead of move from Universidad de Chile worth around £4m.

Sources in Chile claim he will be loaned straight back with Ferguson viewing the powerful forward as a prospect for the future.

The Mail look at Carrick back in the England set up:

A player whom United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had doubts about after his role in a limp showing in the 2009 Champions League final defeat by Barcelona, Carrick has recovered to prove himself again. Establishing himself under Hodgson now presents the next big challenge.

The suggestion is that he would have travelled to Poland and Ukraine in the summer had Hodgson called and asked him personally. It was Capello, not the international game, that Carrick had grown tired of, something that became publicly clear when he said during United’s pre-season tour of South Africa that he was ready for another go.

The Sun have some quotes from Vidic on his return:

“I have no doubt Rio and me can again be the best couple of central defenders in the Premier League.

“That’s the way it has been for a few years and now my dream is for us to return to the same level. People can think anything they like. But, all things being equal, it is very difficult for anybody to get the better of us.

“My knee is in perfect condition. My only challenge this season is to avoid more injury.

“I’m still not 100 per cent but this will come with minutes on the field and more hard work.

“I’ve received a lot of confidence from the manager and this is the main thing for me.”

And finally, they also report that, contrary to popular jokes, there's more United fans in Manchester than City fans.  We are the third best supported club in London too...