United put their case to Puyol

News: Manchester United pressed forward yesterday in their pursuit of the Barcelona defender Carlos Puyol by contacting both the Catalan club and Spain's World Cup defender about a e21 million transfer.

United have been encouraged by Puyol's comments that he is willing to move to Old Trafford to help his debt-ridden club.

United would save money by buying Hatem Trabelsi from Ajax but Puyol's ability to play both in central defence and at right back have made him the priority.

Barcelona are aware, and not unhappy, that United have contacted the 25-year-old directly. Their president, Joan Laporta, understands that a sale could turn into another public relations disaster given the 100,000 season ticket-holders' devotion to Puyol. He also knows, however, that such an asset sale is close to unavoidable. Barcelona are e227 million in the red. Debt reduction demands not only the sale of Puyol but the removal of his e5.7 million salary from the wage bill.

Securing Puyol is still likely to be hard work for United and the defender is still expected to play for Barcelona against Manchester City tomorrow.

Barcelona's coach Frank Rijkaard said yesterday: "I would never sell Puyol, even for £15 million, because he is a vital player for us, but I am waiting to see whether someone from the club comes to me and tells me that is what we must do."

David Beckham extended his Real Madrid learning curve in the far east yesterday by creating a goal for Ronaldo in the 4-2 win over a Hong Kong Select side.

Afterwards his coach Carlos Queiroz insisted patience and hard work were still required in the e50 million player's case. "This is the United Nations of football and Beckham still needs time to improve in terms of language and understanding," he said.

Beckham started the game in the HK Stadium in a withdrawn role on the inside-right channel of midfield with Michel Salgado charging up outside him.

One soaring crossfield ball after 20 minutes picked out Roberto Carlos but the Brazilian played the ball too far ahead and the chance was lost. A similar pass to Ronaldo after 33 minutes was more successful, however. The other Brazilian took the ball in his stride before shooting Real's third goal.

Roberto Carlos had set up Real's opener after six minutes when he was fouled for a penalty, which Luis Figo converted.

Ronaldo doubled Madrid's lead in the 14th minute, outmanoeuvring his marker with a series of step-overs on the left of the area before rifling a shot in off the near post. Hong Kong pulled a goal back in the 26th minute when Wang Peng headed in. But then Beckham laid on Madrid's third for Ronaldo and Raul added a fourth in the 35th minute from a Roberto Carlos throw-in.

Hong Kong replied with a second of their own through Li Yao in first-half stoppage time.