Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has told his players to stop voicing their grievances to the media, it was reported yesterday.

The Daily Mail said a furious Ferguson had held a special meeting with his first team squad ordering them to keep their opinions to themselves.

Ryan Giggs hopes Eric Cantona will play in his testimonial at Old Trafford against Celtic. Giggs has pencilled in Cantona's name and also hopes to persuade other Manchester United legends Mark Hughes and Bryan Robson to turn out on August 1st.

Leeds striker Mark Viduka, reportedly a summer target for several top European clubs, is unlikely to move to Real Madrid after the Spanish club's coach Vicente Del Bosque criticised the Australian's Champions League performance in midweek.

Real general manager Jorge Valdano claimed Leeds demanded £18.5 million sterling for Viduka when they made a recent enquiry for him.

The Italian FA have lifted all restrictions on non-European Union players. They have licensed clubs to field a full team of 11 nonEU players should they wish with immediate effect.

Dave Watson was yesterday named as Tranmere Rovers' new manager at a Prenton Park press conference. The 39-year-old Everton centre-back has had a coaching role at Goodison Park this season.

French under-21 striker Louis Saha has signed a new five-year contract with First Division champions Fulham. Saha, signed for £2.2 million sterling from Metz last summer, has scored 32 goals to spearhead Fulham's march into the Premiership.

Scotland captain Colin Hendry has requested a personal hearing at FIFA headquarters in a bid to save his international career.

And the defender now knows he has the full backing of the Scottish Football Association in his attempt to have a six-match ban overturned.

The Scottish Premier League have confirmed that they will suspend the winter break next season ahead of the World Cup in Japan and South Korea.