Fluminense Claim United Link Up

By David Hobbs
August 4 2005

Manchester United have agreed to link up with Fluminense to mature Brazilian talent worthy of a place at Old Trafford, according to the Brazilian outfit.

Ruud van Nistelrooy has reiterated his intentions to stay at Old Trafford despite tempting links to La Liga giants Barcelona and Real

Similar deals include the Red Devils' link-up with Sporting Club de Portugal, Sao Paulo and most famously Royal Antwerp, where United loan their youngsters to gain first-team experience and have first option on any of their starlets.

However, previous feeder clubs such as Oslo Ost from Norway have terminated the link-up agreement due to a lack of activity between the clubs.

Chief executive David Gill admitted a few months back that the feeder club link-ups would stop, however Fluminense claim a deal has been struck.

''It's slightly difficult to see all of the benefits coming out of them,'' said Gill last year. ''Royal Antwerp has been useful in terms of placing players but the benefit with some of the others is, in my opinion, questionable.''

David Hobbs - Webmaster
[david@manutdweb.com]