Manchester United confirm new Robin van Persie bid

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed Manchester United have launched a fresh bid to sign Robin van Persie, and insists he’s prepared to fight to land the Arsenal captain.

 After seeing his side lose a penalty shoot-out to Barcelona following a 0-0 pre-season draw, Fergie officially acknowledged United’s interest in the Dutch striker, but revealed he has so far been stonewalled by the Gunners board.

 ‘We've made a bid,’ Ferguson said. ‘They've been trying to negotiate with other clubs. We have to persevere. Hopefully it comes our way.

 ‘We're trying our best but there's no progress at this moment in time. ‘We're not getting any breakthrough with Arsenal.

 It's difficult to say why they're operating this way. I don't know what their thoughts are because they're not giving anything away.’

 United have struggled for goals during pre-season, and Fergie is clearly aware of the need for fresh firepower, especially after losing Brazilian target Lucas Moura to Paris Saint-Germain.

 But the Red Devils manager insists he was never going to be dragged into a crazy bidding war with the French giants over an unproven youngster.

 ‘I find it quite amazing that a club can pay €45million for a 19-year-old boy,’ he added.

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Ferguson confirms bid for Van Persie

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson,has confirmed they have made a bid for Arsenal’s most wanted player Robin Van Persie.

 Speaking on the club’s television,Ferguson said:”Obviously Arsenal have given out the fact that we’ve made a bid for him,” “We try to keep business as close as possible to us until the moment we conclude a deal.

 There’s no point talking about something that might not happen.

 “There are other clubs interested in the player. We’ve shown an interest and that’s where we’re at at the moment” Ferguson said.

 Earlier today, Robin Van Persie declined travelling with the rest of Arsenal’s squad on their pre-season tour of Asia,after stating on his official website two weeks ago,about his intent on not signing a new at the Emirates.

 Manchester United, Juventus and Manchester City have all reportedly lodged bids around £15m, but Arsenal are holding out for a fee in excess of £20m.

 It is left to be seen if the deal materializes,as City are the favourites to land the player,with their enormous spending power.

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Roman's got his enthusiasm back! Fergie predicts Chelsea title challenge

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Champions League winners Chelsea will battle the Manchester giants for the Barclays Premier League title.

 The Blues have already added German midfielder Marko Marin and Belgian striker Eden Hazard to their armoury at huge expense, while Oscar is bound for Stamford Bridge in a £25million switch from Internacional.

 The Scot said: 'I think the owners have got their enthusiasm back. Having won the Champions League, there’s more expectation on them now.

 'That was the trophy Roman (Abramovich) always wanted to win, so he’s invested in the team again this summer. It’s a challenge for us, I suppose, and we always respect Chelsea.

 You just have to wait and see how good these players are.'

 United are in China ahead of Wednesday’s friendly clash with Shanghai Shenhua, when they will come into contact with old foes Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba.

 Asked if he would have considered offering Drogba a change of scenery following his departure from Chelsea, he replied: 'The decision was his anyway.

 He said he was going to leave Chelsea and not play again in England, so that eliminated everyone.'

 Defender Rio Ferdinand could find himself in much closer proximity to the pair, but the 33-year-old is thinking only of his preparations for the new campaign.

 He said: “Obviously, there’s been a lot of focus on Drogba and Anelka because of their decision to come out and play here.

 'We’re looking forward to playing Shanghai. It’s a great game for both clubs. 'Shanghai get to see where they’re at and the main focus for us is to get through the game unscathed and step up our fitness.

 'There’s a lot of interest because of Drogba and Anelka but for us, it’s just another game.

 We want to continue with our fitness and integrate some more young players into the first-team.'

 Ferdinand’s fitness will be of acute importance to his manager as he faces up to the possibility of starting the new season without either Nemanja Vidic and Jonny Evans, and with Chris Smalling facing an extended spell on the sidelines with a fractured metatarsal.

 Ferguson said: 'It’s not 100 per cent Jonny Evans and Nemanja Vidic will start the season.

 'Jonny will start running today. Vida and Phil Jones started full training today, which is very positive.

 If I can keep Rio fit, then Vidic and Jones should give us ample cover.

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