Antonio Valencia Manchester United deal hits snag

Manchester United have opened talks over a new contract for Antonio Valencia but negotiations have hit an impasse over image rights. The Ecuador winger is halfway through the four-year deal he signed after arriving from Wigan for ?16million in June 2009. United are prepared to improve Valencia's ?50,000-a-week contract but early discussions faltered when his representatives asked for image rights to be included in the new package. Snag: Antonio Valencia's Man United deal has stalled over image rights Old Trafford chief executive David Gill is refusing to agree to image rights clauses while investigations continue by HM Revenue and Customs, who believe they may be able to recoup millions owed in tax on the payments across the Premier League. United are still optimistic they will reach a compromise with Valencia, 25, who has been one of their most impressive performers after recovering from the serious ankle injury he suffered in September.  Keown insists Capello must install Ferdinand to heart of England defenceBerbatov wants to stay at United despite Champions League final snubAll the latest Man United news, features and opinion  Explore more:People: Antonio Valencia, David Gill Places: Ecuador

Sunderland wants Darron Gibson and Wes Brown in double swoop on Manchester United

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce wants to sign Darron Gibson and Wes Brown from his old club Manchester United this summer. Bruce has identified Gibson as the man to replace Jordan Henderson, who will join Liverpool if they can compromise on a fee with Sunderland. Gibson, 23, is on the fringes of United's squad but the Irishman has failed to command a regular first-team place and is one of a number of players who will be allowed to leave Old Trafford this summer if the right offer comes in. United value him at around ?6million. Dis-United: Wes Brown and Darron Gibson are on their way out of Man United Brown is another after falling behind Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans and the Da Silva twins in the pecking order to play in central defence or at right-back. The 31-year-old former England defender has been at United since 1992, but his career has stalled and Bruce is ready to offer him a fresh start at the Stadium of Light.  Sunderland boss Bruce eyes summer move for Spurs striker Crouch?30m Kop swoop! Liverpool near mega deal for young England duo Jones and HendersonKop that! Liverpool lead ?13m chase for Sunderland midfielder HendersonAll the latest Sunderland news, features and opinion  Explore more:People: Wes Brown, Steve Bruce Places: Liverpool, United Kingdom

West Brom keen to re-sign Manchester United stopper Tomasz Kuszczak

West Brom are considering a ?3million offer their former goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak. The 29-year-old Poland international is surplus to requirements at Manchester United and Roy Hodgson wants a new keeper after missing out on Brad Friedel. West Brom are also hopeful of beating Sunderland to Blackpool's David Vaughan, 28. On his way out: Manchester United no longer have use for Tomasz Kuszczak as they expect to sign a new goalkeeper this summer  Lindegaard faces Fergie's wrath for missing Man United team busVeteran Van der Sar admits he is dreading Old Trafford farewellAll the latest Manchester United news, features and opinionAll the latest West Bromwich Albion news, features and opinion  Explore more:People: David Vaughan, Tomasz Kuszczak, Roy Hodgson Places: Poland

Iker Casillas Madrid would have beaten Manchester United

Iker Casillas has rubbed salt into Manchester United's wounds by insisting that Real Madrid would have beaten them in the Champions League final. United were swept aside by Barcelona at Wembley on Saturday as their quest for a double ended in disappointment. And now Casillas, part of the Madrid side that lost to bitter rivals Barca in the semi-finals, has said: 'I believe 100 per cent, if Madrid had been in that final, we would also have overcome United.' Helpless: Pedro Rodriguez (left) beats Iker Casillas in the Champions League semi-final Casillas, who is in the Spain squad for their friendly with the USA this weekend, impressed in both legs of the Champions League semi-final but couldn't prevent his side losing 3-1on aggregate. He added: 'I think in the semi-final between Madrid and Barcelona, that was the champions of Europe. Party time: Barcelona lift the Champions League trophy after beating United 'The two best teams in Europe faced each other at that time.' Madrid ended the season with just one trophy, the Spanish Cup, as they finished second to Barcelona in La Liga.  Berbatov wants to stay at United despite Champions League final snubUnited miss out on Neuer as Germany keeper agrees move to Bayern MunichBarcelona 3 Man Utd 1: Pedro, Messi and Villa crown Barca kings of EuropeAll the latest Manchester United news, features and opinion  Explore more:Places: Madrid, Barcelona, Spain, Europe

Manchester United are ready to allow the likes of Tomasz Kuszczak, Wes Brown, Darron Gibson and Gabriel Obertan to leave in the summer.

Boss Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to make plenty of changes in the summer as he plots an assault on the Champions League.

United were simply outclassed in the final of the competition by Barcelona this season and Ferguson is eager to bolster his squad in the summer in order to build a side capable of taking on the Catalan giants.

Keeper Kuszczak has failed to establish himself at Old Trafford and is reportedly set for a £4million exit, with West Brom leading the hunt.

Ferguson is also ready to cash in on defender Brown, midfielder Gibson and winger Obertan in order to create room for his planned summer arrivals.

Mame Biram Diouf and Ritchie de Laet, who spent time on loan with Blackburn and Portsmouth respectively last season, will also be allowed to move on in the summer.

Striker Federico Macheda has been linked with a move to the Serie A and Ferguson could allow the Italian the chance to move on, but only if the interested parties match United's valuation, with Lazio and Parma amongst those credited with an interest.

United's owners the Glazer family are ready to back Ferguson in the transfer market this summer but they are also keen to recoup as much money as possible in player sales, which is why Ferguson is preparing for a major clear out.

Berbatov Wants To Stay At Old Trafford

Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov says that he wants to stay at Old Trafford and is willing to fight for his place despite the fact that he was left out of the Champions league final squad. There has been talk of a Berbatov exit for some time and that has been fuelled by the fact that Michael Owen has been given a new twelve month contract But the 30 year old is determined to stay, he said: “I’m a Manchester United player and I’ll be glad to fulfil my contract. “Everyone is going through some difficulties but I’ve always been fighting for a regular place and I’ll continue fighting for it. I never gave up in my life. “On July 4 everything begins all over again, the battle for the cups, the battle for the regular places.” Berbatov was not seen on Champions League final day, but he said he watched the game in the dressing room on TV. “I was disappointed,” he explained. “I was ashamed that I was left out of the squad. “And that’s why I didn’t want people to see how sad I was… because I can’t hide my emotions. “I preferred to stay on my own in the dressing room.”

Fergie axes Wes Brown after 13 years

Wes Brown is the first victim of Alex Ferguson's summer Manchester United make-over following a bust-up with the Reds boss.

The long-serving defender has been told to find a new club in the wake of a row with Ferguson.

Brown, 31, fell out with the United manager over a lack of action and has not featured for his hometown club since being subbed at half-time in the 1-0 defeat of Bolton on March 19.

He found himself behind Fabio, Rafael and John O'Shea in the pecking order for a right back spot in the final weeks of the season.

The demotion was a blow for Brown, who quit international football in August to concentrate on his career at Old Trafford.

Brown, who made his United debut as an 18-year-old in 1998, has never managed to fulfil his potential at United as a succession of injuries limited his availability.

He seemed to finally have made the breakthrough in the 2008 Champions League-winning season, when he made over 50 appearances and played in the final win over Chelsea, but he has since been usurped.

The defender is likely to be a target for Everton and Sunderland, who have shown interest in him in the past.