Quote:Cardiff City have signed Manchester United striker Federico Macheda on a three-year deal.

The 22-year-old becomes City's third signing of the summer and will join the club on July 1 on a free transfer after his Old Trafford contract ends.

Macheda worked with Cardiff boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer previously at United.

Macheda told Cardiff's official website: "It's a massive opportunity for me and it is with thanks to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that I am here."

Cardiff announced the signing on their website on Tuesday after the Italian striker successfully completed a medical.

Just saying hi, and I may be posting some more here as 14/15 goes on under van Gaal. GGMU!

Patrice Evra has signed a new Manchester United contract.

As you will know by now, unless you have been living on the moon, Louis Van Gaal has been appointed as manager of Manchester Utd with Ryan Giggs accepting the role of assistant coach.

Van Gaal was officially appointed on a three-year deal on Monday.

Quote:Louis van Gaal believes he has joined the 'biggest club in the world' after his appointment as Manchester United boss was confirmed.

Van Gaal is currently with Holland as he oversees their World Cup preparations but he has spoken to Dutch TV about his new role, which he will take up once his duties in Brazil are over.

Van Gaal has previously won titles at Ajax, Barcelona, AZ Alkmaar and Bayern Munich, and is not holding back in his ambitions for United.

"The aim is to bring them back to the number-one position as soon as possible, because that's where they were under Sir Alex Ferguson," he told Dutch TV station RTL.

"To work as a manager for Manchester United, the biggest club in the world, makes me very proud. I have managed in games at Old Trafford before and know what an incredible arena Old Trafford is and how passionate and knowledgeable the fans are. This club has big ambitions; I too have big ambitions. Together I'm sure we will make history."

Van Gaal also revealed that he would be meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson once he gets to England and does not envisage any issues with the former United boss - who is now a director at the club.

"I will definitely have a dram with him soon," he said. We have done that several times before. We can really cope with each other. I don't think he is the biggest problem for this job. Because I am always putting more pressure on me than anyone else."

Van Gaal confirmed that he has already discussed plans for the squad.

"We didn't talk about money," Van Gaal said. "We talked about the players I want. We'll see if we can get them. We also talked about who can go."


England star Wayne Rooney was quick to welcome his new boss to Old Trafford.

The 28-year-old tweeted: "Great to see Louis Van Gaal has been named @ManUtd manager. Looking forward to working with him."

The England striker also offered his congratulations to former team-mate Giggs, who has decided to end his illustrious playing career at Old Trafford to become Van Gaal's assistant.

"Congratulations also to Ryan Giggs on a special career and becoming assistant manager, I'm sure he will do a great job," Rooney tweeted.

Quote:Rio Ferdinand has made the decision to leave Manchester United this summer after 12 years at Old Trafford.

Ferdinand made 455 appearances for United, winning six Premier League titles, the 2008 UEFA Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup, two League Cups and five Charity/Community Shields.

"I have thought long and hard over the last few months about my future and, after 12 fantastic years playing for what I regard as the best club in the world, I have decided the time is right for me to move on"

But his playing time had been reduced over the last couple of seasons because of injury and the emergence of Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans.

His contract was due to expire at the end of the season and the decision has been made not to extend it.

"I have thought long and hard over the last few months about my future and, after 12 fantastic years playing for what I regard as the best club in the world, I have decided the time is right for me to move on," Ferdinand said.

"I joined Manchester United in the hope of winning trophies, and never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined how successful we would be during my time here.

"There have been so many highlights, playing alongside some great players who have become good friends, winning my first Premier League title and also that fantastic night in Moscow are memories that I will cherish forever.

"Circumstances didn't allow for me to say goodbye the way I would have liked but I'd like to take this opportunity to thank my team-mates, staff, the club and the fans for an unbelievable 12 years that I'll never forget. Winning trophies I dreamed about as a kid came true at this great club.

Former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke described Ferdinand as "colossal".

Yorke told Sky Sports: "The word colossal comes into play as that's the type of player that Ferdinand was.

"It doesn't come as a surprise but it's an end of an era for himself and Nemanja Vidic - it's unbelievable the amount of success they've had.

"Rio can leave that football club with his head held incredibly high in terms of what he has achieved."

The decision to let Ferdinand go ignores the advice of interim manager Ryan Giggs, who insisted earlier this month the defender could still make a useful contribution and should be offered a new deal.

Former Reds defender Gary Neville appeared to question the move when he wrote on Twitter: "So it looks like Rio and Vida allowed to leave at once!!! A conveyor belt has become a cliff!"

There were no hard feelings, however, as United said on their official Twitter account: "£mufc would like to thank Rio Ferdinand for his long and distinguished service, and wish him well for the future."