Wat's afoot

Mark Watson will not be playing for Canada in their forthcoming friendlies against Trinidad and Tobago and Honduras due to an ankle injury. Allegedly Watson has been offered a contract based on appearances for next season, which is possibly not going to be enough to tempt a player of Watson's calibre to stay at the Manor. On the other hand Watson might just be happy to have been offered any kind of contract as his Canadian team-mate and former United transfer target Carlo Corrazin has been released by Northampton because of the high number of domestic games he might have to miss as a result of his international duties.

Amorrells

It appears that Morrells are pissing off others than just United supporters and real ale enthusiasts. As a result of the same restrictive covenant on the Blackbird residents of the Greater Leys estate have no pub or shop (as lack of off-sales would make a shop unfeasible). It is thought that Oxford City Council is considering taking the former brewery to court in an attempt to lift the covenant.

Den's fantasy

Rage Online has heard that the Oxford Mail is doing a Euro 2000 fantasy league and Denis Smith was asked to “pick a fantasy team”. Smith said “No problem ­ Spain!” to which the Mail reporter Mark Edwards replied “No, no you can't pick Spain. It doesn't work like that”. So Smith said: “Okay, Holland.” The concept of Fantasy Football appears to have escaped our Den!

Reservations

United have announced a not particularly exciting set of pre-season friendlies for the reserves, including games at Banbury, Thame, Milton and Wantage.

Winterburn's Summer

Following on from Tuesday's report here connecting former United reserve Nigel Winterburn with Manchester City, it transpires that he is also being linked with the other team promoted to the Premiership, Charlton, as well as West Ham.