Midfielder Herrera, part of Spain’s London 2012 Olympics squad, would become only United’s second midfield signing in seven years after Belgian Marouane Fellaini became the first in six last summer.

Robin van Persie’s diving header against now deposed champions Spain set the Netherlands on their way to a 5-1 mass destruction of their 2010 final opponents and also earns a place in MM’s top five United goals at the World Cup.

The American had been in poor health since suffering two strokes shortly after seizing control of the Old Trafford outfit in 2005 after a controversial £790m takeover

The arrival of Dutchman Louis van Gaal at Manchester United has forced countryman Alexander Buttner to leave the club – as he feels the new manager doesn’t rate him.

The fixtures were released at 9am, giving football fans across the region an ideal view of their post-World Cup hangover cure

Following the Netherlands’ destruction of holders Spain, orchestrated by new United boss Louis van Gaal, it would be a wasted opportunity to not discuss the smoke issuing from the Old Trafford rumour mill.

The 5-1 humbling by a Robin van Persie inspired Dutch side in the Group B opener on Friday was world and European champions Spain’s heaviest loss in over 50 years.

Grammy-nominated Manchester illustrator Stanley Chow has his exhibition ‘The Takeaway’ at Manchester’s Centre For Chinese Contemporary Art

Manchester United’s two most established strikers could hardly have experienced two more contrasting opening games at the World Cup in Brazil

This following England XI offers an insight into some of great footballers Greater Manchester has produced

Viewers on ITV voted with their feet in poll over starting berth with Sterling winning by a landslide.