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New Manchester United deal for Nani

Author: Craig Williams
Date: 27/03/2010
Football betting

Manchester United have handed Portugal winger Nani a new five-year contract which ties him to the Old Trafford club until June 2014.

Nani joined the Red Devils from Sporting Lisbon in 2007 and has been given a more prominent role in the first team following last summer's departure of compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid.

Will Nani help fire Manchester United to this season's Premier League title? - Latest Football Betting

Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney has been declared fit by United boss Sir Alex Ferguson ahead of their pivotal Premier League clash with Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.

Media reports in the week suggested the hitman could be ruled out with a knee problem, but Ferguson insists he is fully fit to take part.

Veteran pair Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs could also feature after shaking off their injury concerns in the north-west derby for which the Red Devils are strong favourites to win in the online betting markets.

Elsewhere, United will not be the subject of a takeover bid from the Red Knights before the end of the current season, the group has confirmed.

The group of wealthy United fans - who count Goldman Sachs chief economist Jim O'Neill and leading football powerbroker Keith Harris among their number - have emerged as possible new owners of the Old Trafford club in recent weeks.

However, the Red Knights will not be launching any takeover bid before the current season ends in May.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has been handed a Football Association improper conduct charge following his spat with Everton's David Moyes.

The charge relates to the pair being sent to the stands by referee Peter Walton as they clashed on the sidelines during Wednesday's Premier League clash at City of Manchester Stadium which the Toffees won 2-0.

Mancini appeared to make contact with Moyes after the Scot collected the ball when it had left the field of play.

Moyes has been reminded of his conduct over the incident but will face no further disciplinary action.

Celtic caretaker manager Neil Lennon has admitted he is interested in taking the role on a permanent basis.

The ailing Scottish Premier League club turned to Lennon on Thursday following their decision to sack Tony Mowbray after just nine months in the Parkhead hot-seat.

In Formula One, Lewis Hamilton set the fastest time at Friday's practice session ahead of the Australian Grand Prix after taking advantage of some early dry conditions at Albert Park.

The McLaren driver set the pace with a lap time of one minute 25.801 seconds before heavy rain began to fall in Melbourne.

Hamilton was 0.275 seconds quicker than team-mate and reigning world champion Jenson Button, who also made the most of the early dry conditions.

Red Bull's home favourite Mark Webber was third fastest when conditions dried up towards the tail end of the session, with the Mercedes of Michael Schumacher finishing fourth.

Ireland winger Tommy Bowe has collected the fans' best player of the rugby union Six Nations award after a string of fine performances in this season's competition.

Despite his side finishing second to France, relinquishing their Grand Slam they won last term, Bowe notched three tries to impress the onlooking supporters.

The Ospreys man beat off competition from France pair Imanol Harinordoquy and Morgan Parra to clinch the prize, won by his compatriot Brian O'Driscoll last year.

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