Busy day in the world that is Manchester United. SSN also reports that Ron-Robert Zieler, a favourite for the United Player Game (https://manutdpeople.com/Thread-United-Player-Game) has requested a loan move in the January transfer window. I guess he sees limited opportunities at OT at the moment, with Ben Amos seeming to have the gloves for the reserves.

He was offered a new contract in the summer, but has not made his 1st team bow yet, having already been loaned out to Northampton.

The full story on SSN:
Ron-Robert Zieler has told Sir Alex Ferguson that he wants to be loaned out in the January transfer window in a bid to gain first-team football.

The 20-year-old is highly thought of at Manchester United but currently finds Edwin van der Sar, Ben Foster and Tomasz Kuszczak blocking his path to the senior squad.

Zieler signed for United from Cologne in summer 2008 and is currently representing Germany at the Under-20 World Cup in Egypt.

The youngster enjoyed a loan spell with Northampton last season while the Cobblers were in League One but made just two appearances.

Zieler, who is yet to make his United debut, is keen to make up for the experience and reveals that Ferguson understands his frustrations at having to play reserve team football.

"I became absolutely delighted to be offered new terms this year as this was an indication the coaching staff is believing in the chance that I could make it at the club," he told Kicker.

Challenge

"I had the desire to challenge for a first-team spot as soon as possible, but I am still lacking something to do so as Edwin van der Sar is a great shot-stopper and Ben Foster and Tomasz Kuszczak are experienced back-ups.

"I want to achieve the next step in my career and I have spoken to the manager about it.

"He really understands my point. I have always acted loyal to the club and I go on doing so.

"Anyway if possible I would like the chance to have a change of clubs this winter."

Ritchie De Laet has been offered a new contract by United. This has been reported on SSN today, which is good news, as personally, I think he is a tremendous prospect for the future. I saw him play right back and he looked like he'd been there for ever. He can play anywhere across the back, so a bonus!

There may be good news on the horizon for Danny Welbeck, too:

Full story from Sky Sports News:

Manchester United have handed a new contract to Belgian starlet Ritchie de Laet. The 20-year-old defender only joined United in January, when The Red Devils raided Stoke City to capture him.

He has impressed Sir Alex Ferguson since the move and is now on the verge of the first-team. And his progress has been rewarded with a new three-year deal.

"Alex Ferguson told me I'm very close to the first team," he told The Sun.

"There has been talk of me going out on loan but Sir Alex said I can't leave as he may need me. The new contract is a surprise and fantastic news."

It is also reported that Danny Welbeck is also close to agreeing a new three-year contract at Old Trafford.

Goalkeepers: Robinson (Blackburn), Green (West Ham), James (Portsmouth)

Defenders: A Cole (Chelsea), Terry (Chelsea), Johnson (Liverpool), Bridge (Manchester City), Lescott (Manchester City), Brown (Manchester United), Ferdinand (Manchester United), Upson (West Ham).

Midfielders: Milner (Aston Villa), Lampard (Chelsea), Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy), Gerrard (Liverpool), Barry (Manchester City), Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), Carrick (Manchester United), Lennon (Tottenham).

Strikers: Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Heskey (Aston Villa), Crouch (Tottenham), C Cole (West Ham), Rooney (Manchester United).

Not too many surprises then?

Sir Alex Ferguson launched a blistering attack on Alan Wiley, accusing the Staffordshire official of “not being fit enough” to do his job.

Wiley, the fourth official for last month’s controversial Manchester derby, was in charge at Old Trafford as an injury-time own-goal from Anton Ferdinand gave United a point against Sunderland in a 2-2 draw.

Ferguson claimed Wiley had not played the correct amount of added time because he had failed to add on an additional minute to the four already signalled once United scored.

“I was disappointed with the referee,” said the United boss.

“He didn’t add on any time for the goal. He played four minutes and two seconds.

“He was also walking up the pitch for the second goal needing a rest. He was not fit enough for a game of that standard.

“The pace of the game demanded a referee who was fit. He was not fit. It is an indictment of our game.

“You see referees abroad who are as fit as butcher’s dogs. We have some who are fit. He wasn’t fit.

“He was taking 30 seconds to book a player. He was needing a rest. It was ridiculous.”

Ferguson twice headed to the touchline during the second half to make his feelings known about controversial decisions.

At one point, after he felt Anderson was denied a penalty, he jabbed his finger at fourth official Mike Dean and then pointed angrily to the pitch.

Whatever the merits of Ferguson’s argument, he will have succeeded in taking the spotlight away from his side, who were indebted to Patrice Evra’s deflected shot after they had produced probably their worst performance of the season, with Ben Foster again at fault for the second-half header from Kenwyne Jones that looked like being the winner.

“It was a soft goal to lose,” admitted Ferguson.

“Our passing was very poor in the first half. In the end we needed to show some great qualities to get something out of the game on a day when we played really badly.”

In front of England coach Fabio Capello, who names his squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Belarus today, Darren Bent gave his side the perfect start, driving home his seventh goal of the season after just seven minutes.

United created nothing in reply until after half-time when a brief flurry brought them level, Dimitar Berbatov finding the net with a magnificent overhead kick.

The visitors rallied and Jones got above Foster to nod home Andy Reid’s cross, a goal that seemed certain to gain Sunderland their first Old Trafford win since 1968.

But the game turned when former United winger Kieran Richardson was sent off for kicking the ball away, a decision that angered the Sunderland players, but not manager Steve Bruce.

“It was stupid,” said Bruce.

“It is hard enough to defend here with 11 players. These things happen in the heat of the moment but it could have cost us the game.”

United used the dismissal to have one last assault at the visitors’ goal, with Ferdinand the unlucky man as he deflected Evra’s shot past Craig Gordon.

“It is totally disappointing,” said Bruce. “I don’t know what the stat is for the number of times Manchester United have done that but it is what makes this club what it is I suppose.

“It just proves you have to go down to the wire.

“Even when they don’t play well, they always seem to get something out of it. And the Ayatollah himself just sits there and watches.

“That is what he has brought to the club. They never give in.”

I hate it when Manchester United fans say things like this when someone manages to score against us.