MANCHESTER UNITED'S laboured summer transfer-dealings finally
sparked into life last night with the sale of Ruud van Nistelrooy
and the capture of Michael Carrick.
Van Nistelrooy will be unveiled by Real Madrid today after United
agreed an £11.5million deal with the Spanish giants for the Dutch
striker.
And United finally struck a deal with Tottenham to bring England's
World Cup midfielder Carrick to Old Trafford.
He is expected to put pen to paper on a four-year deal with United
within the next 24 hours after Spurs reluctantly agreed to the
transfer.
And while United refused to comment on van Nistelrooy, Real issued
a statement on their website last night confirming a deal had been
struck to bring the 30-year-old to the Bernabeu on a three-year
contract.
United responded by saying: "We have given permission for Ruud van
Nistelrooy to travel to Real Madrid for a medical. But the terms of
agreement are yet to be finalised."
Carrick, meanwhile, who celebrates his 25th birthday today, could
be unveiled as a United player as early as today, although with
personal terms and a medical still to be sorted, next week seems
more likely.
Carrick will see his wages more than double from £20,000-a-week to
£45,000-a-week. United boss Fergie (below) identified Carrick as
one of his top summer targets before the World Cup, but saw an
initial bid of £10m rejected.
The deal appeared to be in real jeopardy earlier this week when the
United boss insisted he would not be bullied into paying "stupid"
money for new players.
But Fergie was given the go-ahead from United owners the Glazers to
submit an improved bid for Carrick.
Spurs were so desperate to hold on to Carrick they altered their
wage and bonus structure to match the package offered by United,
but the player insisted on moving.
United will pay around £12m up front for Carrick, with the rest
dependant on success-related clauses built into the deal.
United are also in the market for Argentina World Cup duo Javier
Mascherano and Carlos Tevez. Midfielder Mascherano's agents have
already been involved in talks with United, while striker Tevez has
emerged as an option to replace van Nistelrooy.
