Manchester United have signed a five-year sponsorship deal with communications group Telekom Malaysia.

The deal will make Telekom Malaysia the "Integrated Telecommunications Partner" of the Old Trafford club in Malaysia.

Announcing the deal, chief executive David Gill said the partnership was proof of the Glazer family's long-term commitment to the club.

"We will be around for the length of this deal and many more in addition to that," Gill said.

"This demonstrates the strength of the club. It is a long-term partnership for five years.

Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks has lost his billionaire status, according to America's leading financial rich list.

Forbes magazine claim that the Texan is the 701st richest man in the world and owns an estimated fortune of $950 million (£620 million). He recently agreed a deal to sell the Texas Rangers baseball outfit but has reportedly hit a stumbling block.

Rafael Benitez has called for a crisis meeting with his Liverpool players in a bid to salavage the club's season.

During Monday night's defeat to Wigan Athletic, several key figures of the Anfield dressing room were accused by the Spaniard of displaying what he described as “negative body language".

The Kop boss has now planned to stage clear-the-air talks with his troops in a bid to eradicate the blame culture that has been evident within the Reds' ranks during recent games.

Liverpool fans are threatening to boycott the Royal Bank of Scotland unless they withdraw loans that are propping up the club's American owners.

Newspaper reports today claim that the 'Spirit of Shankly' group is behind a protest that has inundated the bank with e-mails warning of mass action but they have issued a statement saying that isn't the case.

Liverpool's problems on the pitch have been debated long and hard in the aftermath of Monday night's crushing defeat at Wigan Athletic, but for veteran defender Jamie Carragher, there have been headaches of a different kind.

The 32-year-old swapped the Anfield dressing room for the editing suite this week, as he became guest editor for popular Reds magazine LFC Weekly.

Bill Kenwright Chairman of Everton Football Club has been featured in the Liverpool Echo this week.

"The truth is Everton do need a billionaire. Of course that`s a stock phrase, but we do need major investment.' Bill Kenwright told the Echo.

The Echo has reported, although not quoted, that Kenwright told them that 'three or four interested parties are circling around Everton'.

But with Kenwright's experience of dealing with possible investors. He remains cautious, adding: "Am I hopeful? I`ve been hopeful before, and nothing`s come of anything. But I will find that investment.'

Accrington manager John Coleman has shored up his defensive options by bringing in young centre-half James McCarten from Everton on loan.
Coleman had looked to recruit the 19-year-old defender last month before the Football League placed a transfer embargo on the club over a late payment of an unpaid tax bill to HM Revenue and Customs.

But the £30,000 instalment has now cleared and the ban lifted, though, meaning McCarten could go straight into the squad for Stanley's trip to Barnet after completing the deal.

United States international Landon Donovan believes his loan stint with Everton surpassed all expectations.

The American forward is set to play his final game for the Toffees at Birmingham on Saturday before returning to Major League Soccer. Donovan, 28, joined Everton in January on a 10-week deal and has scored twice in 12 appearances.

David Moyes' men have won seven of those games, including home victories over title rivals Chelsea and Manchester United, to climb into the top half of the Premier League.

Mikel Arteta has revealed Everton are determined to secure another season of European football after their hammering of Hull.

The Spanish playmaker scored twice and set up another as the Toffees thrashed Phil Brown’s men 5-1 at Goodison Park on Sunday.

The victory came hot on the heels of a Premier League defeat at Tottenham and Europa League exit at Sporting Lisbon.

And Arteta, whose goals were his first since returning from an 11-month lay-off with a knee injury, insisted it bodes well for the run-in. ‘I think we played some terrific football,’ said the 27-year-old.

A TOP-LEVEL meeting has failed to deliver progress on new stadia for Liverpool and Everton football clubs.

LFC chief executive Christian Purslow and his Everton counterpart Robert Elstone sat down with city council officials and Liverpool University yesterday, at the instigation of the university. Liverpool FC made clear the club is committed to building a new £400m ground, despite its problems raising finance to fund the 60,000-seater.