THE ESSENTIAL

Nemanja Vidic is loving the responsibility of wearing the captain's armband at Manchester United, describing it as a "big achievement".

Manchester United failed to reach their target of season ticket sales this summer, the club's chief executive David Gill has confirmed.

Wigan have signed Tom Cleverley on a season-long loan from Manchester United.

Manchester United striker Michael Owen believes it will once more be a two-horse race for the Premier League title this season. He said: "I see United and Chelsea as the two teams to aim at. If someone else wins, then obviously they would have had a fantastic season."

Sir Alex Ferguson was satisfied with his team's performance in their 3-1 Community Shield victory over Chelsea. Antonio Valencia, Javier Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov scored the goals as United got their season off to a winning start. Ferguson said: "It was a decent display and I'm very happy players such as Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen and Park Ji-sung are nearer match fitness. Some of the football was very good at times. I think we deserved to win it."

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Wayne Rooney's poor World Cup form was due to the amount of pressure on the striker. Rooney failed to score during the four games of England disappointing campaign in South Africa. "There was such expectation on him, talk he was going to be the player of the tournament," said Ferguson. "That was the prelude to the whole thing. You wait, in four years' time you'll see a different player."

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted he 'misses Manchester' - but has ruled out a return to Old Trafford in the future.

Manchester United's anti-Glazer lobby claim they are happy to wait for the asking price to fall before the Red Knights make their bid.

The Glazer family have slapped a 'not-for-sale' notice on Manchester United and reiterated their "long-term" commitment to the club.

Sir Alex Ferguson insists Manchester United have no intention of selling Dimitar Berbatov this summer.