High hopes for Obertan

United’s fans took to him; his sharp touch, speed of movement and willingness to attack defenders from either flank bodes well. Reporters after the game neglected to ask Sir Alex for his views on the Frenchman’s bow, but I’m sure he'll be mightily pleased. Obertan’s summer on the sidelines was due to a back problem that went undetected at Bordeaux, an injury that hampered his development in the last 18 months.

United don't jump into signings blindly. In fact, Brian McClair - in charge of United’s Academy - told me he’d seen Gabby aged 17, was very impressed and the Reds kept tabs on him from then on. His transfer surprised a few people in France who thought he wasn't ready for a big move. But if his injury problems are now behind him he can really kick on - all the signs are he's ready to step up. He’s still only 20, so it'll take time and he’ll need to learn – fast – about the demands of the Premier League, but physically he looks up to it.

His recent re-emergence is very well-timed because there'll be ample opportunities to impress. Antonio Valencia has shone in recent weeks and is possibly first-choice winger. But he won’t play every week. Nani hasn’t nailed down the other wide position, Ryan Giggs will be rested and used centrally, while Ji-sung Park is injured.

Obertan has looked good in the Reserves, but his fast-tracking to the first-team indicates he’s too good for that level. With his mostly steady, occasionally eye-catching performance at Oakwell, he’s given the boss plenty to think about. And, personally, the speed and directness of Valencia and Obertan on either flank, to me, has an exciting ring to it.
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Fan dismay as Man United cancels

THE decision by Manchester United to cancel one of the most eagerly awaited sporting contests in Indonesia — its face-off with a team of local all-star soccer players — will be a massive blow to the Indonesian psyche, according to a regional sporting organiser.

The English champions — who are regarded as the biggest brand in world sports — were due to play in Jakarta tomorrow night in front of a sell-out 80,000 crowd but cancelled due to security fears.

In a blow to Australian Man United fans, Melbourne Victory's opportunistic bid in the wake of the blasts to lure the team to Etihad Stadium for a match tomorrow night has failed.

But disappointment here will be nothing compared with the dejection felt by millions of Indonesian soccer fans, according to Geoffrey Gold, an Australian who helps organise sporting tours to the region.

"This match carried a huge amount of significance. The fact that Manchester United, the biggest side in the world, felt that Indonesia was important enough to visit was taken as a sign of how the country had developed," said Mr Gold of Sports Dynamics Asia. "Indonesia is football mad and at least half of the soccer fans support Man United. These bombings almost seem to be a way of punishing the ordinary people who were looking forward to this."

The match was of such importance that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono mentioned it in a speech to the nation on Friday night.

Manchester United — which kicked off its Asian tour in Kuala Lumpur last night — had been booked to stay at the devastated Ritz-Carlton tonight.

Team manager Sir Alex Ferguson told a news conference in Kuala Lumpur: "We are obviously shocked but, with regard to the safety of our players, staff and fans, there was no other way we could have looked at (this)."

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