Two reasons why United fans should be cheerful.....

Good news at last, according to David Gill (aka Pinocchio), Nemanja Vidic has shaken hands on a new deal. The big Serbian defender has yet to confirm this news and so if true, it will hopefully end the speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid or worse still Man City. According to United's official website, the new deal was agreed three to four weeks ago - which begs the question: if that is so, why wait until now to release this news?

There's more good news to report relating to David Gill, the United CEO recently told the media season ticket sales were on track - not so, because the club has announced tickets are on general sale for the first home game of the season - which means you do not have to be a season ticket holder to watch the Newcastle United game at Old Trafford on August 16th. Reports suggest season ticket sales could be down by between 5,000 and 10,000.

It is the first time this has happened since matches became all ticket affairs at Old Trafford - it is very big news. However, the move will almost certainly ensure it is a full-house.

Nonetheless, this is a very significant step in the right direction on a number of levels.

Firstly, the fans' Green and Gold campaign is definitely working, no matter what the likes of Gill or anyone else says about the current economic climate.

It is the first real concrete sign that season-ticket holders are voting with their feet and by default it is a rejection of the Glazers'. As we saw last season the majority of home fans' who visited Old Trafford are very unhappy with the owners.

The club's mythical 60,000 waiting list for season tickets has been exposed for what it is, a totally worthless piece of fiction.

Many supporters would like to see a return to pay on the day, whether that will ever happen is actually doubtful, but still some of us old-timers live in hope.