United have made another summer signing - 15-year-old defender Sean McGinty from Charlton Athletic.

The promising centre-half had been offered scholarship terms by the London club but with the Reds having tracked him for some time, McGinty has opted to switch to Old Trafford.

Although the Republic of Ireland U17 international is not contracted to the Addicks, the two clubs have agreed an undisclosed compensation package, which includes additional fees depending on the player’s progress at United.

Charlton chairman Richard Murray said: “To have a club like Manchester United tracking your youth players clearly shows the quality that our academy is currently producing.

“Of course, nothing would have made us happier than Sean coming through the ranks and representing our first team, and our coaches had high hopes for him. We did our utmost to persuade him to stay, but joining such a big Premier League club is obviously an attractive prospect, and Sean and his family made it clear that they wanted to move north to United.”

Murray added: “Manchester United have behaved entirely honourably throughout the process, and I’d like to thank them for that.”

Although only 15, McGinty represented both Charlton’s U18 side and reserves last season.

United are poised to make a £16million swoop for Brazilian striker Luis Fabiano after missing out on Karim Benzema so ManUtdPeople believes.

Benzema’s £32m move to Real Madrid meant United chief Sir Alex Ferguson had to rethink his targets to replace outgoing Carlos Tevez.

And Sevilla hitman Fabiano, top scorer with five goals in Brazil’s Confederations Cup triumph last month, is the new name in the frame – although United will have to see off AC Milan to land him.

The San Siro side have made an opening £13m bid even though his release clause values the 28-year-old at £55m.

Milan believe Fabiano, who has scored 47 goals in 105 games for Sevilla since joining them from Porto in 2005, is ready to leave Spain for a new challenge.

But United, with £64m still in the bank after recruiting Wigan’s Antonio Valencia to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, have the financial firepower to outbid the Italian giants.

Now the big news,Owen to join United.
Any views on this?I think it's a great gamble!!Ok,he's not the player he was but if he stays fit,i think he can get fifteen goals and over,he'll be a success.I don't think Newcastle was a good team for him with the lack of quality there but he still got ten goals...besides ,what have we got to lose?no big transfer fee,no big wages and you never know,i think he still has a lot of offer up front.
I say let's back the Gaffer and get behind Michael Owen...forget he played for liverpool and hopefully he will score a hatrick agains them..
Having said that,it's disappointing and a worry that no quality player has come to United yet..
Where did Real Madrid get all this money from anyway????

Apparently Michael Owen people are talking to David Gill about a possible move to Utd.A proven goalscorer of course but questions you would have thought over his fitness must be a concern?.I think he would be a good addition to the squad and a real fox in the box for Utd.

United are in talks to sign former Liverpool and Newcastle striker Michael Owen, ManUtdPeople understands.

The 29-year-old, who is out of contract at Newcastle, did not return for pre-season training after his deal with the Magpies ran out in June.

Owen has been linked with Everton, Aston Villa, Stoke and Hull but now looks set to sign for the Old Trafford club, pending a medical on Friday.

"We don't comment on transfer rumours," a Red Devils spokesman told ManUtdPeople

Owen has been plagued by injuries in recent seasons, suffering with groin, ankle, thigh, hernia, metatarsal and knee ligament problems.

The 2001 European footballer of the year and former Real Madrid striker has dropped out of the England squad, but a potential move to the Premier League champions would give Owen the chance to revitalise his career.

"Sources close to the player have suggested to me that a medical will take place on Friday," BBC Radio 5 Live's Juliette Ferrington reported from Manchester.

"He has already completed one test on his knee and should he come through Friday's test he'll sign on a free transfer.

"Contract talks continued late into the night. It would represent a major turnaround for the England striker who has been hampered by injury problems.

"Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been a long time admirer of Michael Owen and it looks like he has made his move."

Since losing the Champions League final to Barcelona at the end of May, the Premier League holders have sold forward Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid for £80m and failed to persuade striker Carlos Tevez to stay at Old Trafford.

The departure of those two players has left United manager Sir Alex Ferguson with a shortage of strikers, with Frazier Campbell also likely to be sold.

However, Ferguson did bring in winger Antonio Valencia from Wigan on Tuesday.

United were also linked with Lyon striker Karim Benzema, who is set to join Real, while Bayern Munich forward Franck Ribery has been linked with a move to the Madrid club rather than the English champions.

Owen made 79 appearances for the Magpies and scored 30 goals in four seasons at St James' Park.

But an ankle injury and groin operation severely disrupted his final year at the club, with the last of his 10 league goals for the 2008-09 campaign coming against West Ham on 10 January.

If Ferguson does capture Owen, it would be reminiscent of his willingness to take a chance on players like the enigmatic Eric Cantona or stars that have suffered serious injury problems like Henrik Larsson.

"United have definitely made a move," said Pete Spencer, sports editor of the Manchester Evening News. "It is a bold move. It could put them at risk of the fans mocking them because they've missed out on Benzema and Ribery.

"Owen will have a lot to do make sure that he overcomes the natural hatred between Manchester United and Liverpool, although he has been at Newcastle for some time.


Owen Was Seen In Manchester On Friday where United Apparently Put Him Through A Medical.

Manchester United is delighted to announce that it has completed the signing of Antonio Valencia from Wigan on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee.

The 23 year-old Ecuador international has played 34 times for his country, scoring four goals.

Sir Alex Ferguson said:

"Antonio is a player we have admired for some time now, having spent the last two years in the Premier League with Wigan. I am sure his pace and ability will make a significant contribution to the team."

Antonio Valencia said:

"Joining Manchester United is a dream come true for me. I have enjoyed my time at Wigan, but I am thrilled to have the chance to challenge for the biggest honours in club football here.

"Playing in front of 76,000 fans alongside players like Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs will be an amazing experience. I can’t wait to get started."