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Soccer digest

Manchester United: United are set to face Galatasaray in a pre-season tournament in Germany later this summer

Fri Jun 09 2000 - 01:00

Manchester United: United are set to face Galatasaray in a pre-season tournament in Germany later this summer. United had been expected to take on Bayern Munich, AC Milan and Real Madrid in a four-team competition to mark Bayern's centennial celebrations on August 4th and 5th.

But AC Milan have been forced to withdraw from the tournament because of their involvement in Champions League qualifying matches, and UEFA Cup winners Galatasaray will replace them.

Injuries: Ruud van Nistelrooy has successfully come through a knee operation at a sports clinic in Vail, Colorado. The PSV Eindhoven player, whose proposed £18.5 million sterling transfer to Manchester United was abandoned in April because of the injury, is not expected to return to full training for at least eight months.

Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp, who missed out on Euro 2000 through injury, is to undergo surgery in the same clinic in Vail as he tries to save his career. Redknapp, who celebrates his 27th birthday later this month, has been told that he may be forced into retirement unless a top specialist can unearth the cause of a persistent knee problem.

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Late last week Liverpool confirmed that Redknapp's injury was so serious that he would be unable to resume even light training before August, the inference being that he would be sidelined until December. The fear is that Redknapp's knee has been subjected to so much wear and tear that he may now be suffering from cruciate ligament damage.

Bray Wanderers: Celtic's pre-season programme will see Martin O'Neill launch his Parkhead managerial career with a friendly against Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds on July 9th.

Leicester City: Skipper Matt Elliott has finally ended speculation that he is to follow Martin O'Neill to Celtic by signing a new contract which will keep him with Leicester until summer 2004.

Cable TV and telecoms company NTL extended their reach into the Premiership yesterday by announcing a £12.5 million sterling deal with Leicester City which could see them take a near 10 per cent stake in the club.

Under the deal, NTL's subsidiary, Premium TV, will loan Leicester up to £11.5 million interest free, which it will be able to convert into a 9.99 per cent stake in the club after one year.