Net results are United's goal

12.02.08: MANCHESTER United have signed a Japanese star, Osama Kashiyama, from the Italian club Roma in a bid to improve the corporation's disappointing performance in the Japanese market.

United chairman Keith Granville said the make-up of the current squad allowed the club to maximise its earning potential in Europe, North America, South America and Africa but not in the Japanese market.

'Ultimately, we are responsible to our shareholders and we believe Osama's arrival at Old Trafford will turn things round for us in Japan. It's a lucrative market and we need to perform better there.' DW