Soccer: Manchester United files for IPO in US

Manchester United plans to go public. In the United States, to boot.

The record 19-time English champions filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday to hold an initial public offering of stock and become a listed company on the New York Stock Exchange. The deal could ease pressure on the club's cash flow as it tries to keep and acquire players in an attempt to regain English and European titles.

While the stock price and the number of shares were not listed, the registration statement said the club hoped to raise a maximum of $100 million — a place-holding figure that could change before the offering becomes effective.

"We intend to use all of our net proceeds from this offering to reduce our indebtedness," the team's filing said.

Read more: Manchester United files for IPO in US - SFGate

Soccer Britain: And the biggest winner? That's Manchester

City's league win could net Manchester euro 1.2 billion  a year by elevating the club to the elite top tier of world football.

Experts say the Blues' success will provide a huge boost to the club's revenues while also promoting the city on the global map. It not only signifies their emergence from United's shadow – but means Manchester is now virtually unique in having two clubs in the top echelons of world football.

That, combined with the opening of the National Football Museum at Urbis later this year, means Manchester now has a case for being not just Britain’s but the world's capital of soccer.

Read more: And the biggest winner? That's Manchester | Manchester Evening News - menmedia.co.uk

Soccer: Park not alone as United disappoints - by Joo Kyung-don

For many footballers, Wembley Stadium in London is a field of dreams, but for Manchester United Korean midfielder Park Ji-sung, the stadium seems to have become a place to avoid.

Park started in the UEFA Champions League final against FC Barcelona at Wembley Stadium on Saturday but suffered the “Wembley jinx” when his Manchester United team was beaten 3-1 by the Spanish giant.

The match was the Korean player’s second start in a Champions League final and even though he played for a full 90 minutes, in the end he wasn’t able to help deliver the result that he and the massed ranks of Red Devils fans were looking for.

For more: Park not alone as United disappoints - INSIDE Korea JoongAng Daily

Soccer: Barcelona Beats Man United 3–1 in Final

Lionel Messi scored one goal and created another Saturday, leading Barcelona to a 3–1 victory over Manchester United and a third Champions League title in six years.

Barcelona dominated play at Wembley with trademark one-touch passing, but the Spanish champions needed the Argentine striker to conjure a 54th-minute solo strike from the edge of the penalty area to take the lead for the second time.

After a shaky opening, Barcelona simply outclassed the English champions. Xavi, standing in as captain for injured defender Carles Puyol, orchestrated play from in front of Sergio Busquets, while Andres Iniesta and Messi tormented United with the pinpoint accuracy of their passing.

 
For more: Barcelona Beats Man United 3–1 in Final - TIME

NYT: European Soccer - Barça and United in the Hunt for Silver and Sinew - by Rob Hughes

For the complete report from the NYTimes.com click on this link

European Soccer - Barça and United in the Hunt for Silver and Sinew - by Rob Hughes

These are the defining weeks of Europe’s club season. The contests come three times in a week, and those who would be champions need will as well as skill, nerve as much as ability to stand the pace. The mettle that makes a champion was Manchester’s, and Barcelona’s. Most observers appreciate that Barça is the most irrepressible force in world soccer. Its front three — Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto’o and Thierry Henry — have shared almost 90 goals among them this season, and there were moments Saturday when Messi appeared to be playing fullback, such was his commitment to the cause.