United to appeal against twin charges

Manchester United have already declared their intention to appeal against the charges that could land Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes with three-match Premiership bans.

The Football Association have confirmed they have finally received the referee’s report into the dismissals of Rooney and Scholes during the friendly encounter with FC Porto in Amsterdam on Friday.

If the charges of violent conduct and serious foul play are not overturned, the pair will miss the trip to Charlton on August 23, plus the home encounter with Watford on August 26, then, most crucially, the Old Trafford clash against Tottenham on September 9.

United have been given until Friday afternoon to lodge an appeal and have privately indicated they will definitely be contesting the charges at a hearing that is likely to be held next Tuesday.

By that time, at least the FA will have been able to fully absorb a massive 23-page document, which landed at Soho Square from their Dutch counterparts this afternoon.

While the Dutch appear to have dragged their heels submitting the paperwork, no-one could accuse them of being less than thorough.

Aside from the observations of referee Ruud Bossen, there were also full reports of both incidents from both assistant referees and the fourth official.

Despite this, it still seems certain Rooney at least will have his punishment quashed, although, with the FA having to either clear the player or make him serve a suspension, Scholes’ situation is not quite so promising.

Meanwhile, the deal to bring West Brom goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak to Old Trafford is inching closer.

The Pole was left out of the Baggies’ squad at Cardiff last night, with boss Bryan Robson admitting he expected Kuszczak’s situation to be clarified within the next 24 hours.

There has been no official comment from United or West Brom today but it seems certain Kuszczak’s arrival will be confirmed at some stage tomorrow.

The move will almost certainly signal the departure of Ben Foster, who played at Oxford last night but will now join Watford for a second season-long loan stint.

Foster was a bystander at the Kassam Stadium as Cristiano Ronaldo made his first appearance on English soil since the World Cup.

Predictably, Ronaldo was booed every time he touched the ball, and he can expect a hot reception at most Premiership grounds once the new campaign gets underway later this month.

If evidence from the Kassam Stadium is any guide, he scored twice, the 21-year-old should have little problem shrugging off the taunts.

But striker Louis Saha is among those who believe Ronaldo is going to have to get used to it.

“I think we expect some players like Cristiano are going to get some stick,” said the French striker.

“The only thing he can do is show his quality. At least the United fans supported him last night, so that is good.”

In Eric Cantona and David Beckham, United have two obvious examples of former players who have received the wholehearted backing of their own club’s fans when they were being pilloried everywhere else.

Ronaldo’s case is slightly different as he not only knocked England out of the World Cup, he also agitated for Wayne Rooney’s quarter-final red card and twice demanded a move to Real Madrid.

However, Mikael Silvestre sees no reason for the Red Devils support to turn against the youngster.

“I am sure Cristiano will continue to have great support,” said Silvestre.

“The fans have always got behind players who have had a hard time and I am sure it will be the same with him.”