The Wall of yawn

Not much time today so just quick survey of the stories doing the rounds.

The Glazers' share sell-off makes its debut on Wall Street today, The Guardian reporting that their starting price is lower than expected:

The club had been set to sell their shares for between $16-$20 (£10.20-£12.80) a share but cut them to $14 late on Thursday following negative comments from Wall Street analysts and Facebook's disappointing stock market debut in May.

Even after the cut United will be valued at $2.3bn (£1.5bn) making them the most valuable football club in the world. Real Madrid, their closest rivals in financial terms, are valued at $1.88bn, according to an annual ranking by Forbes magazine.

The Telegraph speculate that David Gill will be having talks with his Arsenal counterpart about van Persie this weekend:

But if Manchester United increase their bid in excess of £20million a deal is likely to be brokered this weekend between Gill, 56, and Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis.

Both are on the English FA’s Professional Game Board and the FA Council. Gill was in London this week to help drum up additional support at an Manchester United investor roadshow hosted by lead adviser Jefferies Group Inc. United kicked off their stock market flotation yesterday before listed on the New York Stock Exchange today.

The Mirror have some quotes from Sir Alex on Carrick as defensive cover:

"Smalling is out and I can't give you an update with Jones because we've not fully diagnosed that.

"But Michael Carrick was absolutely brilliant [in Sweden] with his passing the ball and his interceptions. He was fantastic."

There's quotes from Rooney in all the papers, the best round-up of them is in The Mirror, here he is on van Persie:

“Of course he’s a player that I admire,” said Rooney.

“He’s a fantastic player, he’s been amazing for Arsenal over many years.

“Last season was probably his best season of all, he scored a lot of goals.

“If he does come here he would be a great addition to the squad.” 

There's also quotes on his fitness and on City's title defence.

Finally The Guardian have their season preview of us here.  They predict second for us.  The fools.