Sporting Digest: Football

Manchester United face a hectic build-up to the new season after announcing plans for a trip to Scandinavia. United have a friendly at Birmingham on 25 July, then travel to Oslo and play Valerengea on 27 July before meeting Brondby in Copenhagen four days later. The Reds go back to Norway for a match against Branbergen on 4 August and then return three days before their Charity Shield match against Arsenal on 9 August. United's first leg of their Champions' League qualifier is on 15 August.

Sammy McIlroy, the Macclesfield manager, yesterday ended speculation about him leaving Moss Rose by agreeing a two-year extension to his contract.

Port Vale have signed Brian McGlinchey, the Northern Ireland Under-21 midfielder, from Manchester City.

Blackpool have turned down an approach by Norwich City for their manager Nigel Worthington.