Dong deal for United

Manchester United FC have agreed to sign the teenage China striker Dong Fangzhou from Chinese club Dalian Shide FC.

Possible €5m fee
The English champions confirmed that they will initially pay €723,00 for the 18-year-old's services, although the fee could rise to more than €5m depending on appearances. Dong emerged as the cream of a crop of youngsters sent by China's top clubs to England for trials in August and United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said in November that the club were pursuing him.

Loan expected
"It is worth it," said Dalian's general manager Lin Lefeng. "It's good for the two sides and for Dong Fangzhou himself." Another former Dalian player, Sun Jihai, became the first Chinese international to play in the Premiership following his arrival at Manchester City FC. United expect Dong to arrive in the summer, when they will loan him to Belgian feeder club R. Antwerp FC.

'Sad situation'
Dong could be deprived of an opportunity to play with Nicky Butt after Sir Alex reluctantly accepted a transfer request from the England midfield player. "It is a very sad situation," said the United manager. "With Phil Neville [moving into midfield], and the emergence of Darren Fletcher and Kleberson, it has made it difficult to get in the first team so Butt has asked to leave."

Champions League win
Butt, who turns 29 on 21 January, is a one-club man who signed professional terms at Old Trafford two months after making his league debut against Oldham Athletic FC in November 1992. He was part of the United side which won the UEFA Champions League in 1999 and was later identified by Pelé as one of the stars of the 2002 FIFA World Cup.