While their bitter rivals Liverpool are sweating over a takeover that could decide their future, Manchester United have today revealed some worrying financial results of their own.  The club which for so long was the financial powerhouse of the Premier League lost a staggering £79.6 million.

The news will only add further pressure on the clubs controversial owners. Ever since their takeover of the club in 2005 the Glazer family have hardly had the most welcoming reception from United fans, with a ‘Green and Gold till United are sold’ protest launched last season.

But the Glazers have always insisted a sale was never going to be an option and it seems as if the figures released today haven’t changed their mind. Current Chief Executive at United David Gill even described the figures as “very good”.

He said: “There is no pressure at all to sell any star player whether it is Wayne Rooney or X, Y or Z. I can categorically say that. I can’t speak for any other club but the United fans should not be concerned.

“We have a long-term financing structure in place, excellent revenues that are growing, we are controlling our costs – total wages are 46% of turnover – and we can afford the interest on our long-term finance.”

Now I’ll admit that I am no financial expert but to me a loss of nearly £80million doesn’t sound “very good”.  What made the Glazers so unpopular in the first place was that their proposed business plan accepted that there would be a big debt and therefore the club would make losses as they looked to pay back the debt.

This threatened United’s on the field point of view. It meant that the big name signings might dry up and that they would have to find a new way of staying at the top of the English league.

In many ways this is exactly what has happened. In the Glazer era only Dimitar Berbatov has arrived for a top end transfer free, and United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has turned his attentions to younger players for the future, as well as the development of his academy graduates such as Daren Gibson and Johny Evans

But in my opinion two things have probably prevented failure during the Glazer ownership. The Glazers arrived at a time when Ferguson was building the Cristiano Ronaldo era and in many ways success was inevitable, couple that with the longevity of the likes of Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, and Ferguson has been able to cover up the lack of big name signings.

However Scholes and Giggs are ageing, and Ronaldo has already gone, you have to feel that United will need to find funds for replacements. This will lie with the Glazers which will mean them digging in to their pockets.

When the Glazers have to dig in to their own pockets I highly doubt they will be saying a loss of £79million is good.

While Michael Owen came off the bench to rescue a point for Manchester United at Bolton, it was another disappointing result for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men. The result completed a bitterly disappointing day for the Scott, who once again saw his talisman Wayne Rooney produce another ineffective display.

Rooney’s performance was once again disappointing. The striker just doesn’t look like the player who scored goals for fun last year. He showed glimpses of his quality, but has clearly been impacted by his poor World Cup, and the media storm surrounding his private life.

The old saying is that form is temporary and class is permanent, and I have no doubt that Rooney will return to form sooner rather than later, but right now he just looks so far off his best. There were often opportunities for him to produce some magic, but instead he played the simple ball, that  just isn’t the Rooney we know. While Rooney would eventually be substituted with an ankle injury, it wouldn’t have surprised me had been substituted anyway.

It wasn’t good day for United as far as injuries were concerned, as Ryan Giggs also suffered a hamstring injury and Rio Ferdinand was left out of the squad all together as he struggles to find any form of match fitness.

The England defenders fitness problems have been going on for the past few seasons now, and you really do feel that Fabio Capello will have to start looking elsewhere, because Ferdinand is becoming increasingly unreliable.

The official line was that Ferdinand was rested for the Valencia game, but for me an England international needs to be playing week and week out. We had a similar situation with Ledley King, and look what happened in South Africa as he missed most of the tournament.

So generally not a very good day for Manchester United, who missed an excellent opportunity to add some real pressure on early pacesetters Chelsea. You have to feel that things will drastically have to improve for them to seriously challenge Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who quite frankly look superior in nearly all departments.

Manchester United’s drab draw with Rangers summed up a relatively disappointing start to the season for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men. While they are undefeated, disappointing draws with Fulham and Everton have left United off the pace in the Premier League, couple that with the off the field dramas involving star striker Wayne Rooney and it makes for a frustrating few weeks at Old Trafford.

Ferguson last night opted to make 10 changes and left out arguably his three most influential players to date. While Ryan Giggs did appear as a second half substitute, Paul Scholes and Dimitar Berbatov were left out all together, something which with hindsight appears to be a bizarre decision from Ferguson.

But the main concern to come from last night for me, was how lacking in flair United were without the evergreen duo of Giggs and Scholes. Looking toward the future it must be a real worry for United fans to see nobody coming through and forcing either out of the side.

The message that came from last night’s game must now be that if either Giggs or Scholes are fit they play, because if they don’t United will struggle. While there is nothing wrong with this in the short term (this season) it really does set alarming bells ringing on what happens when age finally gets the better of them.

Can I see a Nani or an Antonio Valencia becoming a Ryan Giggs? Not a chance, and the same goes for the likes of Darren Gibson and Michael Carrick in their quest to replace Paul Scholes. It just seems like if United want to replace Giggs or Scholes, they won’t be able to do it from within.

This creates another big problem for Ferguson, with the owners at Old Trafford reportedly reluctant to splash the cash, can you really see them spending the money required?  Honestly I can’t think of anybody in the market who could feasibly replace them, but even if there was you would surely be talking in the region of £30million each?   

It really is a big problem for Ferguson, but ultimately I can’t see it been him that has to deal with it. By the time Scholes and Giggs retire, I personally feel that the great Scott will have also decided to call it a day, in which case filling the shoes of Sir Alex gets a whole lot harder.

What do you think? How could United replace either Giggs or Scholes?

With John Toshack standing down as manager of Wales rumours of a possible first managerial job for Welsh star Ryan Giggs have surfaced. But Sir Alex Ferguson has quickly quashed the speculation linking the evergreen winger with his first move in to management.

Ferguson said:  “We have to be selfish here; I am not even prepared to negotiate on this matter. At his age, Ryan needs to use all his energy and concentration to be here.

“It is a big season for him. It may be his second last, it may be his last. We want it to be the second last. The best way for that to happen is for him to concentrate on being here.”

The Manchester United boss is quite right to stand his ground. Because Giggs, even at 36, still has so much to offer Ferguson.  His stunning volley against Newcastle United on the opening weekend of the season demonstrated just that, and Ferguson quite rightly wouldn’t want to lose a player who still has the ability produce moments of magic like that.

It had been suggested that Giggs could continue playing and manage Wales on a part time basis, but it would be nothing short of madness for him to cut short his playing career to leave for a job which is nothing more than a stepping stone to better jobs. Players should always look to make the most their career before turning to another profession.

Giggs is no different and without meaning to disrespect Wales I would imagine he has much greater aspirations from his career should he make the step away from playing and in to the managerial hot-seat.

In the future I have no doubt that Giggs will manage Wales, and I’d imagine that as soon as he retires whoever is in charge will become under much greater pressure because one Wales’ favourite son’s would be available to step in. That is why Giggs would be nothing short of a fool if he was to take the job now, because he is guranteed the job whenever he wants it.

After a long, hot summer filled with plenty of football, we now stand between what’s left of the work week before the Premier League returns with guns blazing, before Arsenal look like world beaters for four months on all those pristine green pitches before the weather turns, and before your least favorite post, Premier League Footballer of the Week returns with an unabashed arrival.

If you’re an Arsenal fan or don’t understand self-deprecating humor, then you’ve probably already stopped reading. If you have a sense of humor and a halfway open mind, here are four top four players I’ll be keeping a watchful eye on (and why) this season for one reason or another. Liverpool fans, maybe next time.

Daniel Sturridge – Chelsea: Having joined Chelsea from Manchester City in 2009, Sturridge looks set to have a break through season at Stamford Bridge after impressing last season for Chelsea in the FA Cup and more recently in the FA Community Shield v Manchester United last Sunday. Upon his arrival in the Community Shield, Sturridge injected pace into Chelsea’s attack with his probing runs, movement and positioning in front of goal, a welcome arrival to a stuttering Chelsea attack.

Although he’s still struggling with a niggling ankle injury that kept him from appearing for the Blues on their recent pre season trip to Germany, the England U21 insists he’s constantly improving. The talented Sturridge still has work to do to break into the first team at Chelsea. At only 20, Sturridge has Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka in front of him in the Chelsea pecking order. But if he can take his early chances and impress Carlo Ancelotti, Sturridge could have the break out season his potential says he can have. If he fails to impress right off the bat, he’ll likely be relegated to Cup duty but could still be one for the future.

David Bentley – Tottenham Hotspur: Spurs look set to build upon their fantastic season last year as they’re favored to advance to the Champions League group stages for the first time in the club’s history. As Gareth Bale last season made more than good on his potential, another young Spur hopes to do the same. Arguably yet to really break through into regular first team action at Tottenham, Bentley had shown flashes of brilliant play for the past two seasons, but has equally showed some dull moments in attack.

As Spurs approach a season where they’ll potentially have an extra load of Champions League fixtures, Harry Redknapp will have to use the majority of his squad to assure Spurs don’t burn out or neglect other competitions. Used to playing second fiddle to Aaron Lennon on the right wing, Bentley will get his chance to re-gain a starting spot and to impress for Spurs in the upcoming and most important of seasons.

Marouane Chamakh – Arsenal: The silky smooth French striker (but playing internationally for Morocco) acquired from Bordeaux will be a welcome addition to Arsene Wenger’s squad as Arsenal look to capture some silverware this season. Upon hearing about Chamakh’s move to Arsenal some months ago, I immediately realized the 26 year old could potentially be that piece up front that Arsenal have lacked in seasons past. Whether through injury to Robin van Persie, the inconsistency of Niklas Bendtner, or the massive hole left upon the departure of Thierry Henry, Arsenal have lacked a consistent goal scorer not named Fabregas over the past few seasons.

Equally as good with his right foot or with his head, Chamakh will score goals for Arsenal this season. He’s just come off a sub-par campaign in Ligue 1 finishing sixth with Bordeaux but also helped Les Girondins finish first in their group and reach the quarter finals of the Champions League. Chamakh has recently stated he ‘already plays the Arsenal way’ and that his move to the Gunners was a ‘dream’. Also dreaming: Arsenal fans hoping Chamakh will come good and help bring trophies to the Emirates. Chamakh, sure to impress.

Paul Scholes/Ryan Giggs – Manchester United: As young players and new additions to the Premier League such as Daniel Sturridge and Marouane Chamakh (respectively) interest me, so too do the old guard, the experienced, and the living legends of the Premier League tractor beam my peering eyes to their performance.

Not much really needs to be written about the brilliance and timelessness of Scholes and Giggs that hasn’t been written before. As fans loose track of and attempt to count just how many seasons the dynamic duo has represented United at the senior level, the talented midfielders quietly go about their business. Training, acquiring match fitness, already a sharp knife, Giggs and Scholes will ready themselves for yet another campaign and look set to methodically use their skills on the pitch: spreading the ball with accurate passes, linking with forward players, scoring important goals and leading the team by example.

Just how much longer can the two effictively push on is yet to be known. What is known is that until the two hang up their boots, they’ll impress United fans by keeping them on their toes wondering what they’ll come up with next.

• Slim Pickens isn’t just the name of the bloke from Dr. Strangelove
• Congratulations isn’t just the name of the new MGMT album
• Rafa’s (Money Back) Guarantee

In one of the all time “we’re not up for this” performances, the proud, historic, legendary Liverpool Football Club capitulated any hope of fourth (which remember, was guaranteed) and sadly shook the hand of Chelsea FC while Chelsea’s left clutched the title.

Were Chelsea that good? Or was Liverpool’s uninterested, lackluster, impotent display a further extension of the season that begins the slow, tumultuous off season look for a new manager, midfield captain and replacement for Spanish stud? It was a good idea Rafa’s guarantee didn’t have money attached to it.

Still though as my mind battles bitterness with professionalism, the league table doesn’t lie after 37 matches. Averting what would be a monumental meltdown, Chelsea will claim a deserved title next weekend at home in front of their supporters.

A Congratulations is in order to Ancelotti and his men who’ve shown the ability to rebound from adversity (away loss to Spurs then thrashing of Stoke), score goals (hit 7 in league matches three times, hit 5 in league matches twice), and remain focused after off field shenanigans or players out of squad (John Terry, enough said and African Cup of Nations absentees). All variables a champion doth make.

Half the games didn’t matter this weekend. The ones that did, half the teams didn’t show up. So Slim Pickens.

Honorable Mentions -

Steven Gerrard, Chelsea FC – Gerrard’s pass to team mate Didier Drogba to unlock the 0-0 stalemate against Liverpool was a thing of beauty. The midfielder found Drogba with a low direct ball from the center of the park that allowed Drogba to side step Pepe Reina and score Chelsea’s first on way to what could be their first title in four years.

Ryan Giggs, Manchester United – Giggs was heavily involved for United on Sunday linking up play and spreading balls from midfield. United may not have been at their best, but the 1-0 victory away to Sunderland keeps them in the title hunt, if only Wigan can conjure something similar to that of their recent victory over Arsenal.

Giggs remains evergreen for United having secured another 1 year deal that will keep him at United until 2011.

Gareth Bale, Tottenham Hotspur – Again, I know. Bale must be a confidence player. His performance again for Spurs was inspiring as they now look set for a winner take fourth clash v Manchester City on Wednesday night.

Go past defenders, put the ball where it needs to be, add width to the pitch. Bale has had a fantastic breakout season and certainly deserves all the accolades I or anyone else has thrown his way this season.

Premier League Footballer of the Week -

Adam Johnson, Manchester City – I’ve spoke highly of his qualities before, but Johnson again proved he’s one for the moment and the future on Saturday as City came from behind to claim 3 points at home to Aston Villa.

What Johnson does best is what he did Saturday – advancing the ball down the right side of midfield and providing crosses into the box for attempts on goal. In the 41st, the pacy winger forced Villa’s Stephen Warnock into a rash challenge that resulted in a penalty that Carlos Tevez converted.

A minute later, Patrick Viera slid a weighted ball to Johnson on the wing who conducted a tidy two step, kept his poise and found Emmanuel Adebayor in front of goal. Adebayor finished coolly to send City into the half with a 2-1 lead and eventually came out 3-1 winners. Johnson hero for the day yet again.

Anticipate Wednesday.

Author’s Note – If you haven’t listened to this Monday’s weekend review show on the EPL Talk podcast, DO IT! The fellas have really hit their stride as of late and are slowing becoming one of the better shows around. Things get slightly to a little beat heated when the boys discuss the best footballer in the world. It’s all a bit of fun in the end, but makes for some great listening.

Manchester United posted an announcement on its website Friday that said that none of its players maintain personal profiles on social networking sites.

“The club wishes to make it clear that no Manchester United players maintain personal profiles on social networking websites,” said the note posted on ManUtd.com. “Fans encountering any web pages purporting to be written by United players should treat them with extreme scepticism. Any official news relating to Manchester United or its players will be communicated via ManUtd.com.”

However what the announcement failed to mention is that several Manchester United footballers used to have accounts on social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook accounts, but they have either been shut down or the contents on those pages have been removed presumably under the orders of Manchester United FC.

Our research reveals that Twitter accounts have been removed for Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs and Darren Fletcher, while Facebook accounts have been removed for Wes Brown. Meanwhile, the contents of the Facebook wall for the following footballers have been erased: Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand. Pictured above is the wall of Ryan Giggs’s page on Facebook showing that the contents have been removed.

We can imagine why Manchester United would want to prevent its footballers from frequenting social networking sites. One, it’s a potential public relations disaster especially if a player says something controversial or releases information before it’s been approved by a club’s communications or PR department. Two, it encourages football supporters to find information about their favorite players outside of the official club website. Fewer visits to the official club website results in fewer opportunities to generate revenue by selling merchandise or website memberships. Three, and perhaps it’s the most important reason of all, it’s an issue of control. Professional footballers are under the control of the club almost at all times in terms of what they say, which members of the press they can talk to (if any) and what curfews they’re under. But social networking systems threaten the status quo because its professional footballers having personal contact with fans, the media and others, which could be terrifying for some football clubs.

While Manchester United is tightening the screws on which sites its players can frequent, Sunderland continues to allow striker Darren Bent to use Twitter and he’s definitely building a cult following (29,000 followers as of press time). Reading Bent’s tweets is refreshing and gives you a better appreciation of the footballer. Bent has embraced Twitter to such an extent that he even has football boots with his Twitter handle and Twitter logo printed on them.

In this world where professional footballers are so distanced from its fans, it’s a pleasure to see Darren Bent and other footballers using Twitter while clubs such as Manchester United (who don’t even have an official Twitter account for the club) are living in the stone age.

Here are the top 7 reasons why you should follow EPL Talk on Twitter.

He took down the long pass along the left side touchline. He turned the first West Ham defender who came at him and carried the ball into the box. Two quick touches and he turned the next defender as well. The box was still thick with players from the recent corner kick, but Giggs didn’t worry about anyone as he fired the ball through traffic, into the far corner. It was a beautiful goal and a brilliant solo effort. But it was PFA award winner Ryan Gigg’s only goal this season.

Yes, with a mere 12 starts and that one goal, Ryan Giggs bags this year’s PFA Footballer of the Year Award.

No former winner has come close to Giggs in terms of winning the award with so few starts. The next fewest starts for a PFA Footballer of the Year is almost twice Giggs’s numer at 23, attained by two other United stalwarts: Teddy Sheringham and Ruud van Nistelrooy. And while Giggs’s 12 appearances as a sub at least gets him closer to a reasonable amount of game-time, Sheringham and van Nistelrooy scored a lot more goals in their award-winning seasons. Sheringham: 15 goals in 2000-2001. van Nistelrooy: 23 goals in 2001-2002 (in 26 overall appearances, no less). True, they were both strikers, but if we’re talking about honoring accomplishment, their contributions made them obvious choices for those years.

Ryan Giggs winning can only be justified by his age and the length of time he’s played for United.

There is no question that Giggs is a great player and that the service he has given to United and football should be recognized. But the name of this accolade is Footballer of the Year. This award is meant to recognize accomplishments from a single year, not from an entire career. This is the award they gave Alan Shearer for 34 goals in 42 starts in 1995.

Giggs, while still a fine player with probably another year or two at the top level in him, is far from the peak of his career. He won the PFA Young Player two years in a row (1992, 1993) when his explosive talent was undeniable. But by giving him the award for 12 appearances and one goal, the Footballer of the Year award becomes more of a career achievement award. Which is simply wrong.

Perhaps the players who voted for him believe in Karma and hope this act will come back and ensure their careers are as long as Giggs. Knowing that Giggs’s career cannot go on forever, they wanted to make sure he received the award before he retired.

Many expected this year’s award to go to Steven Gerrard for his 13 goals in 27 appearances and this would seem far more in line with past winners. Along with Gerrard, Edwin van der Sar, Glen Johnson, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra; Ashley Young, Ryan Giggs, Cristiano Ronaldo, Nicolas Anelka and Fernando Torres all made the PFA team of the year and any one of them has contributed more to the game this season than Mr Giggs.

The PFA gives out a Merit Award each year for service to Football on all levels. Jimmy Armfield, Alex Ferguson, George Best and Shaka Hislop are all among the recent winners. One could definitely see Ryan Giggs someday earning this accolade, but as far as Footballer of the Year goes: this should not have been his year.

They seem to have been mentioned on here quite a lot recently but since the inception of the Premiership in 1992, the dominant force in English football has undisputedly been Manchester United. Over the years they have had a number of fantastic footballers on their books but who have been the best? Below I have attempted to put together a best eleven of the Premiership Years (also stating the season that I believe each player was at the height of their powers). There are going to be one or two notable absentees but here goes:

Goalkeeper: Peter Schmeichel (1995/96).
This was the easiest choice of all eleven as Schmeichel is probably the best goalkeeper of all time. United haven’t exactly been blessed with an abundance of talent in this area since The Great Dane left the club in 1999. Edwin Van Der Sar has become the closest thing to a replacement that Sir Alex has found for Schmeichel but without a doubt, he would be my choice of keeper for any fantasy team.

Right Back: Gary Neville (2000/01).
The most difficult part of this selection was pinpointing the exact season as to when Neville was at his best. I have gone for the early 2000s as to when I think he was at his peak but for the best part of a decade, Gary Neville was the best right back in the league. Still an important figure at Old Trafford as the club captain, his determination and desire to play for United has seen him rewarded with a contract extension. Neville deserves this for his service to the club and has been an integral part of United’s unrivalled success.

Left Back: Denis Irwin (1993/94).
Patrice Evra was a close contender for this position but I have gone in favour of the former Ireland international purely on the basis of longevity. In his twelve years at the club, he won seven titles, three F.A Cups and a Champions’ League. Albeit right footed, Irwin was arguably better at left back where he played the majority of games for United. Irwin was not only a dependable full back but also had a knack for scoring penalties and free kicks too.

Centre Back: Jaap Stam (1998/99).
In his first season at the club, he won the treble. Intimidating, powerful and no nonsense, Jaap Stam was a centre forward’s worst nightmare. When he signed for the club he was exactly what they were missing and when he was sold (something Ferguson has since admitted his regret at doing), he was sorely missed as United leaked goals in a way they had never really done so before. Although he only spent three years at the club, Jaap Stam made a huge impression on Man United fans and I feel definitely warrants a place in this team.

Centre Back: Rio Ferdinand (2007/08).
I feel that Ferdinand has been the best centre back in the world for the last couple of years now. It took him a while to mature but seems to have been worth the wait. At the time, thirty million pounds seemed to be a very steep price tag for a centre back but Rio looks to have justified that investment and has gotten better with age and experience. Ferguson ought to think about awarding Rio with the permanent job of captain (I’m pretty sure he has).

Right Midfield: David Beckham (1998/99).
While at Man United, David Beckham twice came runner up in the FIFA World Footballer of the Year award. Although he was probably a more accomplished player and talismanic figure for both club and country in 2001, the way that Beckham bounced back from being outcast as a public hate figure after the 1998 World Cup is what most impressed me.

Left Midfield: Ryan Giggs (1992/93).
Giggs has the unique record of being the only player to have scored in every Premiership season. For as long as I can remember, Ryan Giggs has been annihilating full backs. He is the personification of loyalty and is Mr Manchester United. Over the years he has adapted his game to ensure that he can still compete at the top level and doesn’t get any less remarkable. However, it is the Giggs of the inaugural Premiership season that I would want marauding down the left wing as he was simply unstoppable.

Centre Midfield: Roy Keane (1999/00).
The PFA and Football Writers’ Player of the Year in 2000, Roy Keane was the engine room, the heart and soul of Manchester United for many a year. He demanded perfection and usually got it. The way his United career ended sours the fact that he was an immense talent and a fantastic captain. Not only is he an automatic selection but would definitely get the armband too.

Centre Midfield: Paul Scholes (1999/00).
Paul Scholes has never sought attention like many professional footballers do, but somehow I don’t feel he (or his talent) can ever receive enough praise. A truly remarkable exploiter of a football, he can dictate games with his eyes closed and has been doing so for what seems an eternity. It’s tricky to nail down the specific season that Scholes most shone for me as he has been superb for so many of them. I have gone with 1999/00 because of two special goals that live long in the memory, versus Bradford and then Middlesbrough (look them up on YouTube, both occasions United wore the less fondly remembered purple strip).

Striker: Cristiano Ronaldo (2007/08).
Well he had to be in here somewhere. You could play Ronaldo anywhere you like really and he’d still be sensational. Many would say that he is a midfielder but I would probably just tell him to play where he likes. Anyone who can score 42 goals in a season earns that privilege. His aerial ability married with David Beckham’s delivery would be an exciting prospect and I’d be intrigued to find out whether or not Ronaldo would score as many goals up front as he does from the wings. Either way, he’s in. You can’t not have the world’s best player in the team.

Striker: Ruud Van Nistelrooy (2002/03).
This was an unbelievably tough call, one that I didn’t anticipate (somewhat naively) when I began this article. Cantona or Van Nistelrooy? I only went for the Dutchmen because it’s who I’d pick to compliment the team if this were real. A born predator, he scores goals like you and I breathe. 44 goals in a season isn’t easy to ignore. Whereas Cantona was perhaps United’s most influential figure of the nineties and they wouldn’t be where they are today without him, I have to go for Van Nistelrooy just on the basis that goal scorers win a team trophies.

There is my team; some agree with me, most won’t so feel free to add your own suggestions and/or best elevens as well.

On January 2nd, 2009, Manchester United announced the signing of two Serbian players, Zoran Tosic and Adem Ljajic, both from Partizan Belgrade.

Tosic, 21, will sign with immediate effect and will wear the number 14 shirt, while 17-year-old striker Ljajic will remain with Partizan until the end of 2009.

Zoran Tosic is a left winger who can also play as an attacking midfielder. He has played at full international level for Serbia twelve times, and previously made 46 appearances with Partizan, scoring 14 goals.

Tosic could be seen as the heir to the throne to replace Ryan Giggs on the left wing after the Welshman retires.

The signing of Tosic and Ljajic seem like smart moves by Sir Alex Ferguson especially since fellow Serb Nemanja Vidic has worked out so well for the club. Plus the transfer fees for Tosic and Ljajic presumably represent better value for money than similar players from other countries, although the transfer fees have not yet been disclosed for both players.

Here’s a highlight reel of Tosic in action in Serbia:

[display_podcast]