Papers: Court date set

Court hearing ushers Tevez towards door

A High Court judge yesterday pushed Carlos Tevez one step closer to Manchester United, when he set a date for the player's owners to serve an injunction on West Ham – pervent them from halting his move. But the sub-plot before Mr Justice Blackburn in the Chancery Division of the High Courts of Justice was even more dramatic. Tevez's "owners", led by Kia Joorabchian, produced a secret document that seriously questioned the credibility of West Ham over the player's ownership. The club will get the chance to put their case when the injunction is heard over three days from August 22 and Joorabchian aims to subpoena chairman Eggert Magnusson and chief executive Scott Duxbury to give evidence.
Harry Harris, Daily Express

The Daily Express also report that Sir Alex is resigned to losing Alan Smith. A number of clubs have expressed interest in the striker, with Everton thought to be the current front-runners.

Yesterday's press conference by the manager provided plenty of fuel for the tabloids, with The Daily Star leading on Sir Alex's comments on Gabriel Heinze's rumoured move to Liverpool. The United boss said the Merseyside club can "do what they like" to try and prize the defender away from Old Trafford. They won't get their man, he asserts.

Meanwhile, The Sun have printed extracts from former Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock's book. Warnock was disappointed by Sir Alex's team selection on the final day of last season and says United's failure to beat West Ham ultimately condemned the Blades to relegation. "I felt really let down… I found myself cheering for Chelsea [in the FA Cup final]."

The Mirror claim Owen Hargreaves will make his debut this weekend… but not in the Community Shield. Instead, the former Bayern Munich midfielder is expected to turn out for the Reds on Saturday when Sir Alex takes a United XI to Peterborough.

Round up by Nick Coppack

(www.manutd.com)