It's been a busy 24 hours for Manchester United: shortly after former striker Ruud van Nistelrooy was unveiled at Real Madrid, United was reported to have paid a fee between $20 and $30 million for
Tottenham midfielder Michael Carrick. He is expected to complete a medical and be formally presented by the club sometime next week. Tottenham boss Martin Jol once said he couldn't envision the future
of his club without Carrick, but it is believed that the player wanted to move to Manchester so he could be closer to his family in Newcastle. Meanwhile, over in Madrid, Ruud van Nistelrooy couldn't
resist a few parting shots at Manchester United and his old boss Sir Alex Ferguson. He confirmed that their relationship soured after he was dropped for last season's Carling Cup final. After that
point, van Nistelrooy said he felt as though he had lost Ferguson's support. Once he found out Madrid was also interested, he said there was nowhere else he wanted to play: "Madrid is always a first
choice, it's just no question."
Read the whole story at The Guardian »
