Ritchie De Laet has been rewarded with a new contract at Manchester United that ties him to the club until 2012.

Ritchie De Laet

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Ritchie De Laet in action against Wolves this season.

England manager Fabio Capello has described Michael Owen as his "tormentor".

The Italian has continued to leave the Manchester United striker out of his squads even though the 29-year-old has scored 40 goals for his country, more than any of his rivals.

Manchester United striker Michael Owen is set to return to full training having missed Saturday's match against Sunderland with a groin injury.

Owen came off with the problem during Wednesday's game against Wolfsburg and it was initially feared he would be sidelined for three weeks.

"I'm back in training from Tuesday," the 29-year-old told At The Races.

Michael Owen's World Cup dream has suffered a major setback after Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed the striker would be out for "two to three weeks" with a groin injury.

Michael Owen has dubbed Manchester United "probably the biggest club in the world" - comments that are likely to anger his former Liverpool fans.

Michael Owen is under no illusions that he will receive a hostile reception at Anfield when he returns to Liverpool next weekend.

Former Liverpool hero Owen returns to Anfield for the first time with Manchester United next Sunday since his surprise switch to Old Trafford.

Jamie Carragher has warned former Liverpool team-mate Michael Owen to expect a hostile reception from fans when he returns to Anfield.

There was a time that Michael Owen was revered at Anfield and then there was a time that he was booed and so for Michael Owen, trips back to his old club always carry a certain amount of emotional attachment for him.

Northern Ireland Under-21s crashed to a heavy defeat by Iceland in Tuesday's European Championship qualifier.

The visitors were 4-0 up by half-time at Coleraine with Thor Vidarsson's penalty added to by Johann Gudmundsson, Alfred Finnbogason and Rurik Gislasson.

Gudmundsson's second made it 5-1 in the second half with NI sub Josh Magennis pulling a goal back for the home side.

Sir Alex Ferguson admits leaving out Zoran Tosic and Ritchie De Laet from United’s 25-man Champions League squad wasn’t easy.

Both players impressed during pre-season but neither will be eligible to play in the group stage of the forthcoming European campaign, which begins on Tuesday with a tricky fixture in Turkey.