Fabio da Silva leads Manchester United's loanees on a voyage of self-improvement

Fabio da Silva

Fabio da Silva is on the verge of signing for Benfica on a season-long loan deal.

United’s Brazilian left-back is being farmed out to gain further experience with the Lisbon club expected to win the battle in Portugal to land him for a campaign, though their domestic rivals Sporting also keen.

The player’s mother has been in the Portuguese capital checking out his potential new home in readiness for her son’s temporary switch.

Consistent Reds skipper Patrice Evra has blocked the 21-year-old’s path to the senior team, while Fabio’s twin brother Rafael has had more joy in the right-back berth.

Phil Jones confident Manchester United will bounce back next season

Phil Jones

Manchester United defender Phil Jones is hoping to bounce back from narrowly losing out to local rivals Manchester City in the Premier League title race by regaining the trophy next season.

The 20-year-old thought that the Red Devils had done enough to win the title in dramatic fashion before City's late comeback to beat QPR saw them finish first, and the youngster is looking to build on the experience.

"It was mixed feelings at the final whistle," Jones told the club's official website. "I thought we'd pulled off the impossible at first, we thought QPR had done us a massive favour with a difficult task of going to the Etihad [Stadium]. But then City scored two goals in quick succession and that killed us.

"I'll take that on board with what I've learned this season. It's been a massive learning curve for me and I've played a lot of games this season and I've really enjoyed playing."

Man United could land Rayo Vallecano midfielder Michu for bargain £3m

Michu (left)

Michu, the highest-scoring midfielder in Spain last season, could move to the Premier League for as little as £3million this summer.

Rayo Vallecano’s financial problems mean the former Real Oviedo and Celta Vigo player, who hit 17 goals in 39 games, is available at significantly less than the club's original £8m asking price.

Manchester United scouts have been watching Michu, 26, and London-based agents DBW have also spoken with several other English clubs, including Liverpool, about him.

By Daily Mail

Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher to see specialist as he targets return for pre-season

Darren Fletcher

Darren Fletcher will see a specialist next month to determine whether he will be in contention to take part in Manchester United’s pre-season preparations.

The midfielder began an extended break from football in December after suffering from ulcerative colitis, a chronic bowel condition.

The 28-year-old, will see his usual team of specialists next month and sources at Old Trafford say the club are optimistic that he will get the all-clear to start pre-season training in July.

Earlier this year, there were rumours that the Scot may be forced to retire from football but having played his last game against Benfica in November.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has pulled out of the running to be the next Aston Villa manager

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner has flown back to Birmingham from the United States to step up the search for Alex McLeish's replacement - but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has pulled out of the running.

The former Manchester United star, currently manager of Norwegian side Molde, was interviewed by Lerner over the weekend.

But reports suggest Solskjaer has opted not to be considered McLeish's successor for personal reasons and family commitments.

Solskjaer was the favourite with the bookmakers to take charge of Villa who only just avoided relegation from the Barclays Premier League.

But sources close to the club are keen to stress Solskjaer was never offered the job by Lerner.

Top Five: United CM transfer targets

Luka Modric

Manchester United have been linked with a number of top central midfielders, but who should Sir Alex Ferguson sign to challenge Manchester City next year?

Paul Scholes' five-month return was a success, and the midfield maestro has signed on for another season. But the Giggs-Scholes axis will be available for an ever decreasing number of games next season, and Ferguson is looking ahead to bring in a long-term replacement.

The Old Trafford side have the cash to bring in one of Europe's best, but will most probably look to avoid challenging Manchester City head-to-head in a transfer battle this summer.

With that in mind, GMF looks at five central midfielders who could be heading to Old Trafford in the near future.

Ronaldo bemused by Ferdinand omission

Ronaldo and Ferdinand

Cristiano Ronaldo believes England coach Roy Hodgson has made a fundamental error by not including Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand in his squad for Euro 2012.

Ferdinand was the headline omission when Hodgson announced his 23 players last week, with the former West Brom manager instead favouring John Terry amid suggestions of a strained relationship between the pair.

Terry will make a court appearance shortly after the European Championships accused of racially abusing Ferdinand's brother and Queens Park Rangers defender Anton - an allegation the Chelsea captain denies.

Hodgson has dismissed claims that this had any influence over his though process when selecting his squad, and attributed his decision to omit Ferdinand to purely footballing reasons.