CRISTIANO RONALDO "dedicated his man of the match award" to former ManU Manager ALEX FERGUSON after scoring twice in Real Madrid’s 2-0 victory in the European Super Cup against Sevilla. Ferguson was part of UEFA’s technical committee and named the former ManU forward man of the match "after he won the Super Cup for the first time in his career" (London DAILY MAIL, 8/12). ... Former England footballer MICHAEL OWEN "signed up to a two-year deal as an ambassador for Racing UK, the horseracing channel representing 34 courses including Ascot, Cheltenham and Aintree." Owen "is a horse racing enthusiast and owns a stable in Cheshire with 90 horses." His deal "includes appearances in advertising campaigns and as a pundit on the channel" (London GUARDIAN, 8/13). ... More than 60,000 people "signed a petition" calling on League One side Sheffield United not to re-employ footballer CHED EVANS. Evans, 25, "was convicted of rape in April 2012 and jailed for five years." He "is due to be released in October." The club has "refused to comment on a possible return." ALAN SMITH from the official Sheffield United supporters' club said, "I've been told he will be back" (BBC, 8/13). ... ManU named WAYNE ROONEY as its new captain. The England int'l, 28, replaces NEMANJA VIDIC, "who has left the club for Inter Milan," while DARREN FLETCHER has been named as vice-captain (BBC, 8/12).
