New contract gives Antonio Valencia four more years at Man Utd

Manchester United

Antonio Valencia has signed a new four-year deal which ties the Ecuador winger, 25, to the Premier League champions until the end of the 2014/15 season.

Valencia's progress last season was stalled by an ankle injury that sidelined him for five months, but he made a successful return to help United clinch the league title.

Competition for places has been increased by the signing of Ashley Young from Aston Villa, but Valencia said he was happy to extend his stay.

"I am delighted to stay at United," he said. "Since my first day … I have been happy here. I hope that I can continue to develop as a player."

Chelsea

Romelu Lukaku, the Anderlecht striker, would not be interested in going out on loan if he joined Chelsea this summer.

The 18 year old has been linked with a £20 million (Dh119.6m) move after being sounded out as a potential long-term replacement for Didier Drogba.

He would probably struggle to dislodge the Ivorian, Fernando Torres and Nicolas Anelka in the Chelsea pecking order in the immediate future, meaning he could join fellow recent Belgian recruit Thibaut Courtois in being farmed out on loan, after the goalkeeper last week joined Atletico Madrid.

Lukaku told Belgian television station VTM: "When I do leave, it will not be to be loaned out as Thibaut Courtois has been. I want to go to a club where I can develop further. It's not that I just want to be transferred to Chelsea."

Queens Park Rangers

Neil Warnock has revealed he held "positive" talks with Tony Fernandes, the prospective QPR owner, at the weekend. Fernandes, the owner of Formula One's Team Lotus, met the Rangers manager in Bergamo, Italy, on Saturday after watching the Premier League new boys win a pre-season tournament.

He has reportedly been in discussions with the club's co-owner Bernie Ecclestone and the F1 chief's business partner Flavio Briatore, about buying Ecclestone's 69 per cent stake.

Warnock told The Daily Mail: "Myself, Flavio and Tony all had a positive chat after the match on Saturday. We've already spoken about possible targets and he is a very positive chap."

Bolton Wanderers

Stuart Holden, the United States international, has returned to training after five months out with a knee injury. Holden missed June's Gold Cup after damaging his left knee playing against Manchester United for Bolton.

Holden began training again yesterday - his 26th birthday. Writing on Twitter, the midfielder said: "Best bday present 2 be kicking balls and running outside after 5 months out! Not long now!" Holden needed 26 stitches to close a gash near his knee in a challenge from Jonny Evans.

Swansea City

Swansea have agreed personal terms with the Newcastle United winger Wayne Routledge. The Welsh club had already agreed an undisclosed fee with the Magpies and the 26 year old will now undergo a medical today before signing a three-year contract. Routledge will be joined in Swansea today by Middlesbrough striker Leroy Lita, who will also have a medical after a deal worth £1.75m was reached last week.

Arsenal

Jack Wilshere is to undergo a scan on Tuesday which could determine whether he misses England's friendly with Holland next week. Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager last night revealed the initial prognosis was for Wilshere to be absent for a week.

It’ll be summer in the city as car show tries to move with the times

If 2008 was the year that rocked Detroit, 2019 will be when Motor City gives its annual car extravaganza a revamp that aims to move with the times.

A major change is that this week's North American International Auto Show will be the last to be held in January, after which the event will switch to June.

The new date, organisers said, will allow exhibitors to move vehicles and activities outside the Cobo Center's halls and into other city venues, unencumbered by cold January weather, exemplified this week by snow and ice.

In a market in which trends can easily be outpaced beyond one event, the need to do so was probably exacerbated by the decision of Germany's big three carmakers – BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi – to skip the auto show this year.

The show has long allowed car enthusiasts to sit behind the wheel of the latest models at the start of the calendar year but a more fluid car market in an online world has made sales less seasonal.

Similarly, everyday technology seems to be catching up on those whose job it is to get behind microphones and try and tempt the visiting public into making a purchase.

Although sparkly announcers clasp iPads and outline the technical gadgetry hidden beneath bonnets, people's obsession with their own smartphones often appeared to offer a more tempting distraction.

“It's maddening,” said one such worker at Nissan's stand.

The absence of some pizzazz, as well as top marques, was also noted by patrons.

“It looks like there are a few less cars this year,” one annual attendee said of this year's exhibitors.

“I can't help but think it's easier to stay at home than to brave the snow and come here.”

Company name: Farmin

Date started: March 2019

Founder: Dr Ali Al Hammadi

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: AgriTech

Initial investment: None to date

Partners/Incubators: UAE Space Agency/Krypto Labs