Nani may face new United team-mate Giuseppe Rossi as Portugal and Italy do battle for a slot at next year's Olympic Games on Thursday night.
The flying winger, who has agreed to join United from Sporting Lisbon, suffered an ankle injury in Portugal's 4-0 win over Israel last Saturday, but is expected to be risked by Portuguese coach José Couceiro.
Rossi is expected to feature for Italy after catching the eye throughout the Azzurini's European U21 Championship campaign, scoring his maiden international goal against the Czech Republic in his last outing.
All four semi-finalists at the U21 Championship - Holland, Serbia, Belgium and England - are ensured a berth at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. However, England's confirmed absence from next year's Games has opened up a window of opportunity for both Portugal and Italy, who were eliminated at the group stage.
Stuart Pearce's side will not take up their slot in Beijing, as England will instead form part of a Great British side. As such, their berth will be awarded to the winner of Thursday's tie.
United have been named among the top eight seeds for next season's UEFA Champions League.
The Reds occupy the final berth in the elite octet, behind holders AC Milan, Barcelona, Liverpool, Internazionale, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Chelsea.
UEFA's seedings are based on clubs' European performances over the last five years as well as the ranking of their national association.
Thus United only occupy eighth spot due to relatively early exits in previous campaigns, barring last season's semi-final defeat at the hands of Milan.
This season's Champions League begins in earnest as the first of three qualifying rounds kick off on July 17, a full 10 months before the final in Moscow.
The diary date for United fans is August 30, when the draw for the group stages is made in Nyon.
Fergusons ready to do battle
United's pre-season friendly against Peterborough will hold special significance in the Ferguson household, as Sir Alex locks managerial horns with son Darren for the first time.The Posh have a star-studded pre-season lined up, as they also host Celtic and Liverpool before the start of the new campaign, but it's United's visit on 4 August which holds the greater allure for Ferguson.
"It’s going to be a great game for the club and the fans," Darren told ManUtd.com. "We’ve got a good pre-season, with Celtic and Liverpool as well. United’s probably the biggest one, and we’re all looking forward to it.
"I think we’ve already sold 7,000 tickets so the fans are looking forward to it too. United are playing Doncaster the night before, but my dad said he’s going to bring as many as he can, and even if they’re not playing he’ll bring some of the big hitters along to show their faces.
"He’s got a huge squad and they’re all top quality players. Whoever they do play, we know it’s going to be a good game and we’ll have our work cut out for us, because obviously United keep the ball better than teams in our league."
Although the match is inconsequential in terms of points and prizes, Darren concedes that he and his father will both be keen to secure victory.
"Obviously it’s a friendly, but it’s a week before both teams start their season," he said. "So there’s going to be a serious element to it. United have the Community Shield the day after, but I’ve spoken to him and he’s going to be playing as strong a team as possible.
"It’ll be a good exercise and a lot of it at that stage of the season is about fitness. I don’t think it’ll be too serious, but there’s no doubt we’ll both want to win though, that’ll never change!"
Atletico: Torres going nowhere
Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo says his club's skipper and goalscoring talisman, Fernando Torres, is going nowhere.
United have been constantly linked with a move for the Spanish international striker in recent seasons, while Liverpool are also credited with a strong interest.
Cerezo, however, is tired of the annual bout of speculation surrounding his club's prized asset and has moved to clarify the situation.
"Torres is an Atletico Madrid player and I think he will stay here for many years to come," said Cerezo.
"This happens every year. Everyone talks about rumours and throws figures about but Atletico are clear. Anyway, even if we put him up for sale, would he really want to leave?"
United have been linked with a host of strikers since Chief Executive David Gill admitted that the club could be tempted to re-enter the transfer market if the right target became available.
The majority of the Reds' summer business seems done and dusted, with deals already in place to sign Owen Hargreaves, Nani and Anderson.
credit: www.manutd.com
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