Football: Dublin moves to Coventry

DION DUBLIN, who scored a late winner against Southampton in only his third game for Manchester United but soon after broke his leg, emerged from the Old Trafford shadows yesterday when he completed a pounds 2m move to Coventry City, writes Mark Burton.

The transfer represents good business all round. Dublin, 25, gains the chance of first-team football at a struggling club where a successful season would raise his profile sharply and United collect twice the sum they paid Cambridge United for the central striker two years ago.

'My way at United was blocked by Mark Hughes, Eric Cantona and Brian McClair. I was scoring goals in the reserves but the first team was playing well and you don't change a winning team,' Dublin said.

Dublin, who scored two goals in his 12 League appearances for United, did play in place of the suspended Cantona in last season's FA Cup semi-final against Oldham, but he was dropped for the Maine Road replay, which United won 4-1. He made only one more competitive start for the club, in the final game of last season - against Coventry.

Neil McNab, Manchester City's youth coach, has been banned from football for five weeks for speaking out of turn to a match official. The former City midfielder lost his temper with referee John Waring at the end of the reserve Lancashire League derby against Manchester United on 20 August, his first game in charge of the junior side.

The Football Association's disciplinary committee suspended him from all football activities from 5 September to 9 October. He was also fined pounds 250, censured, warned and asked for a written undertaking as to his future conduct.

City have decided not take any further action against the 37-year- old after he apologised to the club. 'I deeply regret the incident,' McNab said.