Want-away playmaker Luka Modric stuck to his word this evening and flew to South Africa with his team-mates for Tottenham’s pre-season tour.

Tottenham are adamant that Luka Modric will depart for South Africa for the club's pre-season tour tomorrow despite reports an increased bid from Chelsea for the playmaker.

South Africa’s all-time leading goalscorer Benni McCarthy was today left out of the Bafana Bafana squad for the World Cup finals.

South Africa coach Joel Santana has included strikers Mabhuti Khenyeza and Richard Henyekane in his 24-man squad for the match against Ireland in Thomond Park early next month.

ARSENAL were rocked yesterday by the news Samir Nasri will be out of action for up to three months after breaking his leg.

Emmanuel Adebayor insisted Manchester City was always his first-choice destination after his move to Eastlands from Arsenal was finalised this evening.

Orlando Pirates 2 Manchester City 0

GARETH BARRY has hit back at accusations his move to Manchester City was motivated by money and claimed the club’s recent acquisitions have justified his decision.

Manchester City have confirmed a three-year, multi-million pound shirt sponsorship deal with Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airlines.

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MANCHESTER UNITED manager Alex Ferguson has spoken of his determination to win a third European Cup sooner rather than later.

Manchester United defender Wes Brown will fly home on Wednesday after the death of his pregnant half-sister at the weekend.

Wes Brown was named in the Manchester United side to face Orlando Pirates in South Africa this evening despite a family bereavement.

Footballer Wes Brown is to stay in South Africa with the Manchester United squad following the death of his pregnant sister.

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Owen Hargreaves was the most notable absentee from the 21-man Manchester United squad which set off today for their four-match tour of Africa.

Darren Fletcher insists the only person he will listen to about any speculation linking him with a move away from Old Trafford is Alex Ferguson.

Manchester United are prepared to play the waiting game in their pursuit of Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov.

PORTSMOUTH booked their place in the Barclays Asia Trophy final after Benjani Mwaruwari’s first-half goal saw Harry Redknapp’s side overcome Fulham 1-0 at Hong Kong Stadium.

Manchester United chief executive David Gill revealed the club may embark on a pre-season trip to Africa at some stage in the future and admitted a tour of Asia this summer made more sense commercially than a tour of the United States.

Dimitar Berbatov has revealed his admiration for Manchester United – but insists he is happy at Tottenham.

Kaizer Chiefs 0 Manchester United 1

Orlando Pirates 0 Manchester United 4

Paul Scholes has made further progress in his bid to fully recover from the eye problem which wrecked last season for the Manchester United star.

Manchester United striker Alan Smith will miss the whole of pre-season despite progressing well from his horrific leg-break.

Manchester United have confirmed the itinerary for their three-match summer tour of South Africa.

Manchester United have confirmed they are considering playing a one-off friendly against Orlando Pirates in South Africa next month.

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Tottenham are today beginning their search for a new manager after taking the decision to sack Glenn Hoddle last night.

Tottenham’s worst fears have been confirmed after scans revealed that midfield star Gus Poyet has fractured a wrist and will be out for up to six weeks.

South Africa are preparing to unleash electric-fast flying winger Sibusiso Zuma on the World Cup this summer.

Hundreds of South Africans have marched through the streets of Johannesburg to protest about the country's increasing number of rapes.

Fifa have pointed the finger of blame for the latest African football stadium disaster directly at officials and match organisers on the continent.

Nelson Mandela has called for unity in South Africa after the tragedy at Ellis Park stadium.

Families of football fans killed in the Hillsborough disaster will send a message of condolence to the relatives of those involved in the South African soccer tragedy.

The Football Association have expressed condolences to their South African counterparts and offered help in the aftermath of the Ellis Park disaster.

Relatives are identifying the bodies of at least 43 people who died after a stampede at a soccer match in South Africa.

Johannesburg police have denied using tear gas outside Ellis Park stadium before the stampede which killed 43 people.

Football officials in South Africa are meeting today to decide what caused a stampede at a football match in Johannesburg in which at least 43 fans died.

Lucas Radebe spoke of his sadness at the death of at least 43 football fans in a stampede at Ellis Park, and revealed he had seen similar tragic scenes when he played for Kaiser Chiefs.

At least 47 people have been killed in a stampede at a football match in South Africa, according to reports.