Evra: David must go up a Gea

Patrice Evra has warned Manchester United new-boy David de Gea he will have to work hard if he is to successfully replace Edwin van der Sar. The 20-year-old Spaniard agreed a five-year contract earlier this week to fill the void left by the veteran Dutchman, who retired at the end of last season.

Evra is confident the ex-Atletico Madrid star, who won the European Championships with Spain Under-21s last weekend, fits the bill as a worthy successor. "David is a good goalkeeper. We don't know him yet but we'll give him a nice welcome," the Frenchman told MUTV. "It's never easy to replace a big goalkeeper like Van der Sar and I'm a little bit sad that Edwin has retired but De Gea is the future now.

 "He has to work hard because it's not easy to do the job Edwin did but he'll be given every opportunity. "We wish him all the best because he has come to the biggest club in the world, and it's important for him to give 100% every day."

O'Shea Set To Join Black Cats

John O'Shea looks set to be the sixth signing that Steve Bruce has made at the Stadium of Light as he is expected to sign for the Black Cats next week. Bruce has been making good use of some of the cash generated from the sale of Henderson by bringing in Craig Gardner, Connor Wickham, Seb Larsson, Ji Dong-won and Kieren Westwood. But he looks like splashing the cash again for the Republic of Ireland international. Wes Brown and Darron Gibson are also understood to be targets for Bruce, who has also indicated that he may also dip into the loan market.

De Gea set to become first Spanish regular at Old Trafford

Over the years, you’d be hard pressed for names of Spanish internationals to have played their trade at Manchester United. The closest we have come is Gerard Pique, who was sold back to Barcelona and Ricardo Lopez, who played as a back-up ‘keeper to Fabien Barthez in the early 2000′s.

There’s no lack of Spaniards in the Premier League, while some have been heavily linked with moves to United, such as Torres before he decided to blot his career with a stint at Anfield.

Marcos Senna was another name who many spoke about when Roy Keane left United, seeing him as the ideal replacement. The 34 year old very nearly joined Swansea City this summer, but it looks like the Brazilian born midfielder will see out his career at Villarreal.

Why do United have a lack of Spaniards? No real answer to be honest. The best players will usually stay in their home nation, and that’s true for most of the top countries such as England (well, not many go abroad), Spain, Germany and Italy. France also appear to be developing plans to keep their most talented players in the country.

De Gea’s arrival is looking like a long-term one as he prepares to fill the might gloves of Edwin Van Der Sar. Hopefully we’ll be able to say in the near future that Spain’s number one goalkeeper is wearing the Red Devils shirt!

Red Devils still hopeful over Nasri

Sir Alex Ferguson is reportedly confident of taking Arsenal star Samir Nasri to Manchester United ahead of rivals Manchester City.

The Reds Devils chief will have been alerted by City's £20million move to try and entice the France international to Eastlands from under his nose, following several weeks of speculation suggesting he was Old Trafford-bound.

Ferguson is looking for Nasri to replace the retiring Paul Scholes in his midfield and was hoping to secure his services during this current transfer window. But, with City boss Roberto Mancini moving quickly when learning of Nasri's possible availability, the veteran Scot will now have to act fast to get his man.

However, having defeated City in the battle to sign Tottenham's Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov in 2008, for a club record £30.75m fee, it is being claimed that Ferguson is not worried about City's interest in Nasri, though he does not welcome the prospect of being embroiled in a bidding war with their big spending neighbours.

Evra On The Curse Of Manchester United

On Manchester United’s trophy tour of Asia, Patrice Evra has told CNN Go that he never gets bored of winning trophies.

“No, that is the curse of Manchester United. It is never enough to win the trophies,” he said. “That’s why Manchester United is a big club, and we want to stay on the top. And next year, we are going to have the same hunger to win every game. If you don’t have the hunger, you [will] get the hairdryer from Ferguson.”

Evra has also revealed that he speaks English, French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese, but has struggled to learn Korean, the language of his best mate Ji-Sung Park.

“Ji speaks very good English, but I want to learn so I can speak to the fans,” he said. “I have been to Korea four times, and they love me so much. But I can’t communicate with them.”

Cavani United talk quelled

Edinson Cavani's agent has played down talk the Uruguay international could be moving to Manchester United this summer.

The 24-year-old has come off the back of a spectacular first campaign with Napoli following three seasons with Serie A rivals Palermo.

Cavani recently extended his stay at Napoli by an additional five years, although that has not quelled the speculation surrounding his future.

The Premier League champions have been tipped to join the race for his signature, but agent Claudio Anelucci insists all the talk involving the Red Devils has no substance.

"This is the time of year when it is normal to hear talk of transfers to big clubs for astronomical fees," Anelucci told Radio Sportiva.

"The majority of the time there is nothing to them, as is the case with regards to a possible move to Manchester United for Edinson."