As Wayne Rooney savoured the prospect of Anderson and Nani laying on even more chances for him next season, he took delivery of a new squad number. Not any old number, either, but the No 10 made famous by undisputed king of Old Trafford Denis Law during a golden era in the 1960s. "When I was offered the chance to wear the No 10 shirt, I jumped at it," he said. "Some of the game's greatest players have become legends wearing No 10, none more so than Denis. He was crowned king of the Stretford End during his time at the club, and it is a great honour for me to wear a shirt that has such history behind it."
Meanwhile, Ferguson is planning more signings ahead of the new campaign but will not be moving for Michael Owen or Jermain Defoe and is unlikely to try to lure Carlos Tevez from West Ham.
Tevez's goalscoring feats last season, including an Old Trafford winner on a dramatic final day, took Ferguson's eye, and it is understood he would consider taking the Argentina forward on loan. But with owner Kia Joorabchian looking to recoup some of his investment, and Real Madrid apparently ready to offer £25m, another temporary move appears unlikely.
Ferguson has also been told he has to offload before adding to his summer signings. There is a £6m Middlesbrough bid for Alan Smith on the table but the player is expected to reject the move when he returns from holiday next week.
Everton have expressed interest in winger Kieran Richardson, and United will be hoping the Goodison Park club still have enough funds, after completing their anticipated £4m signing of Sheffield United's Phil Jagielka, to follow up with a move for long-term target Smith.
Liverpool are ready to try to hijack Real Madrid's £6m move for United defender Gabriel Heinze. Real look to have edged ahead of Juventus in the race for Heinze, but Liverpool could now present him with an opportunity to stay in the Premiership after earmarking him for their problem left back spot.
Manager Rafa Benitez is considering lodging a bid but is aware that United may be reluctant to sell to one of their main rivals for honours next season.
I think Rooney wearing 8 is much better. He made it his own.
seriously.
