Vidic will travel on United tour - Ferguson confirms defender very much on his way back

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed skipper Nemanja Vidic will be part of Manchester United's tour of Scandinavia.
Vidic remained in Manchester when United headed off to South Africa and China last month.
However, the Serbian has now completed his recovery from a cruciate operation and will be around to bolster Ferguson's defensive options at a time when both Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling are on the sidelines.

Coming back: Nemanja Vidic in training last month

In addition, Brazilian full-back Rafael is still on international duty, meaning Ferguson only has four first-choice defenders available following the return of his Euro 2012 contingent.
'Chris Smalling is out for 10 weeks with his metatarsal operation and Jonny Evans is still just in light training,' Ferguson told United's official website.
'They are big losses and they will miss the start of the season.
'Rafael is away but we do have Phil Jones, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra. That will be the back four on tour.

Injury: Vidic has been out of action since the fateful encounter with Basel last December

'Hopefully we don't get any more injuries as it would leave me a bit short.'
United face Norwegian outfit Valerenga on Sunday, then Barcelona in Gothenburg on Wednesday before concluding their pre-season programme away to Bundesliga side Hannover on August 11.
It is anticipated goalkeeper David de Gea will also join the United party earlier than anticipated following Spain's shock group stage Olympic exit.

Cazorla set for medical as Gunners close in on £17.3m deal

Santi is coming to town: The Malaga ace is set for a medical at Arsenal

Malaga's Santi Cazorla is due to fly into London this week for a medical with Arsenal once a £17.3million fee is agreed.
With Robin van Persie poised to leave, the capture of Cazorla, 27, is the major signing of the summer that Arsene Wenger has been promising. 
Wenger was beaten to the signature of the Spain midfielder last year by Malaga, who had been seemingly enriched by their purchase by Qatari Sheik Abdullah Bin Nasser Al-Thani. 

But the club now have to clear huge debts by the end of the month or face relegation to Spain's second tier, the loss of their UEFA licence and Champions League expulsion.

 

Adding Cazorla to the signings of Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud represents the most significant summer strengthening since Arsenal imposed financial constraints on transfers in 2004.

Busquets happy for Barcelona to pursue Arsenal star Song as Catalans consider approach

Sergio Busquets has thrown his weight behind Barcelona's move for Arsenal star Alex Song.

Cameroon international Song has two years left on his Arsenal deal but is yet to open official talks on a new deal, although early indications are that the midfielder wants to be rewarded with a place among the club's top earners.
Barcelona's interest in Song was cranked up a notch this week when new manager Tito Vilanova sought the approval of staff and the team over a move for the player.

Sing up, Sergio: Barcelona's Busquets has hailed Arsenal star Alex Song

 

And after giving their private backing, one of the stars of the Catalan giants has gone public with his admiration.

Busquets would be in direct competition with Song should he move to the Nou Camp from north London, but Busquets insists he would welcome the challenge.
The Spain international said: 'Song is a very good player - young, a hard worker, with lots of physical power.'
Song is wanted in Spain due both to his prowess in defensive midfield, as well as his ability to drop into the heart of the backline.

Come and join us: Barcelona are desperate to win their title back in Spain

Barcelona have lost Seydou Keita to Chinese club Dalian Aerbin, while they often played with Busquets and another midfielder, Javier Mascherano at centre-back last season.
Busquets admits the loss of Keita will have a big impact on the club and for that reason he is happy for strength in depth to be added.
'Barca lose a lot without Keita, both on and off the pitch,' he added. 'He was a much-loved player who gave us a lot of physical power.
'Another player in my position would be welcome, but either way I will keep working hard to win a place in the starting team.'

Spurs boss Villas-Boas offers lifeline to Defoe amid doubts over Adebayor deal

Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas is considering how to boost his attacking options after growing frustrated in his bid to sign Emmanuel Adebayor on a permanent deal.

The Togo striker scored 17 Premier League goals during a successful loan spell at White Hart Lane last season and Spurs agreed a deal with Manchester City last month.

Options: Spurs boss Andre Villa-Boas

However, Adebayor's financial demands are threatening to derail his return to North London before the transfer window closes.

 

And Villas-Boas is ready to look at other options such as offering Jermain Defoe the chance to revive his Spurs career.

Defoe returned early from Spurs' pre-season tour of the USA following the death of his cousin and Villas-Boas is waiting for the England international to be available.
'Obviously there was an interest in Ade but we have a need first for Jermain to get back from his personal tragedy for the team to have further options in the striker position,' said Villas-Boas.
'We are still building a team. The team can improve and we are looking to improve it.
'This is obviously not the final product and as we go through August we have to get the right perspective as to where we can improve and where we will arrive.'

Petrov winning fight as Villa reveal skipper's leukaemia is now in remission

Aston Villa have revealed that captain Stiliyan Petrov is on the road to recovery from leukaemia.
The Bulgarian midfielder was diagnosed with cancer of the blood last season and has been receiving treatment.
But the club have released a statement to confirm that the cancer is now in remission.

On the mend: Stiliyan Petrov was pictured with his brithday cake on a visit to the Aston Villa training ground at Bodymoor Heath last month

It read: 'It is with great delight that the club can confirm on behalf of our long-standing captain, Stiliyan Petrov, that Stan's acute leukaemia is in remission.
'Stan would like to take this opportunity to express his deep gratitude to the medical staff who have looked after him so well since his condition was diagnosed just over four months ago.
'He also wishes to place on record again his profound sense of appreciation for the incredible outpouring of love and support he has received from Villa fans, his team-mates and colleagues at the club, as well as football fans and many more people around the world during this period.

Hero: Warm wishes were paid to Petrov in Villa's match at Portland Timbers

'He and his family have been moved by the depth of feeling stirred in so many people and he has taken great strength from it, too.
'Stan's fight is not over. There will be further battles to overcome in the days, weeks and months ahead.
'But he would like to share with you this tremendous news now and, in time, deliver his own personal message to all of you.
'On Stan's behalf, the club would like to thank everybody for continuing to respect Stan's privacy and his family's throughout his ongoing battle against acute leukaemia and for those who have raised awareness of the condition. Stan remains very committed to this crusade going forward.' 

My only motivation is United! Fergie fury over claims he could profit from Glazers' share offer

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has said he is 'insulted' by claims his recent backing of the Glazer family is motivated by personal gain.

Andy Green, a financial analyst and an adviser to the Manchester United Supporters Trust (Must), had suggested that Ferguson could profit from the controversial £204million initial public offering (IPO), which the Glazer family are now saying will only partly go against United's £437m debts.
A clearly angered Ferguson hit back: 'There is not a single grain of truth in this allegation.
'This is an accusation that insults me.'

Backing: Sir Alex Ferguson says he need support of Glazer family to be successful

Ferguson said he felt the need to address the issue to prevent a schism developing between him and the United fans.

 

A clause within the prospectus for the IPO, which the Glazer's signalled an official intention to launch in New York on Monday evening, suggests senior management figures will receive shares.

Almost immediately, some of those opposed to the Glazer family's ownership of United wondered whether Ferguson was amonst them.
'Being aware of the media coverage that is currently ongoing I felt, on this occasion, that I should make my position clear to the Manchester United fans,' said Ferguson in a statement.
'In regards to suggestions that I have praised the Glazer family because I stand to financially benefit from the proposed IPO, there is not a single grain of truth in this allegation.
'I do not receive any payments, directly or indirectly, from the IPO.'

Unrest: United fans demonstrate against the Glazers

Ferguson's recent praise of the Glazer family raised eyebrows in some quarters. Many United fans dislike the Americans for running up massive debts during their leveraged buy-out of the Old Trafford outfit in 2005.
It has been claimed the debts prevent Ferguson from spending big money in the transfer market and competing with the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea.
'Ultimately, I run the football side of this club and in order to do this, you need backing from above,' he said.
'The Glazer family have let me get on with my job, there is no interference or obstruction, only support.'
The most successful British manager of all time, Ferguson indicated that he could have left United for more money if cash had been his prime motivation.
It is why he has been so annoyed at the slur on his character.
'My decisions and beliefs are not based around what is best for my personal financial gain,' he said.

Money matters: United have so far made only major signing this summer, Shinji Kagawa

'That is an accusation that insults me. If that was the case I would have left Old Trafford a long time ago.
'I am speaking because I do not want a situation to develop whereby the media and other parties create a rift, however small, between myself and Manchester United.
'I've spent 25 years of my life pushing this club forward and not only could I not have done that without those fans, I do it for them.'

Ferguson's statement offers a clear challenge to meet the accusations, raised, amongst others, by the Manchester United Supporters Trust, head on.
The Scot has repeatedly claimed he has always been given the money he wanted to spend in the transfer market and the reason for his relative inacitivity is that there is no value in certain targets.
This Sunday United take on Norwegian outfit Valarenga in the latest stage of their pre-season tour, which also includes matches against Barcelona and Hanover.
The Red Devils are still being linked with Robin van Persie, Leighton Baines and Brazilian Olympic star Lucas Moura, although so far, the only summer arrivals have been Japan playmaker Shinji Kagawa and Crewe's England Under-18 international Nick Powell.

Gomel 0 Liverpool 1: Downing on target as new boss Rodgers handed Euro lift

He sat in between his coaches, barely smiling, and offering nothing more than a polite round of applause.
Though his reaction was muted reaction, for Brendan Rodgers the significance of a solitary Stewart Downing goal, 67 minutes into the first leg of a Europa League third qualifying tie should not be underestimated. At the first attempt, his career as Liverpool manager is up and running.

Up and running: Stewart Downing and Raheem Sterling of Liverpool celebrate

First strike: Stewart Downing scores for Liverpool

Match facts

GOMEL (4-2-3-1): Bushma; Matveichik, Kirilchik, Kashevski, Klimovich; Kozeka (Timoshenko 90min), Voronkov; Nowak (Lipatkin 74), Levitski (Demidovich 84), Platonov; Alumona.
Subs not used: Sakovich, Palomeque, Yevseyenko, Sheryakov.
Booked: Klimovich, Alumona.
LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Jones; Johnson (Kelly 46), Carragher, Skrtel, Enrique; Spearing, Gerrard, Henderson (Lucas 66); Cole (Sterling 23), Borini, Downing.
Subs not used: Gulacsi, Robinson, Adam, Shelvey.
Scorer: Downing 67.
Booked: Henderson.
Man of the match: Jamie Carragher.
Referee: Ivan Kruzliak (Slovenia).
Attendance: 12,500.

On an evening when Rodgers had little to gain, it had appeared for long spells against FC Gomel in Belarus that his debut in the dugout would end inauspiciously.
Thanks to a moment of inspiration from Downing, however, the Irishman was able to breathe a sigh of relief. 
'We are nowhere near where I want us to be in relation to our fluency and charisma within the team,' said Rodgers.
'But, until you arrive at that, what is very important is that you fight for the shirt and show desire and passion.
'The team was full of that. It has been a difficult pre-season in terms of travel issues and the squad not being together but there is a lot of cohesion and fight within the group. And thankfully the game was won by an incredible strike from Stewart.'
A measure of how seriously Rodgers took this assignment came via the team he selected – nine of his starting 11 were current or former internationals and only the presence of Luis Suarez, Pepe Reina and Daniel Agger could have strengthened Liverpool further.

Tussle: Liverpool's Steven Gerrard, right, challenges Gomel's Artur Liatvinski

Heads up: Jay Spearing outjumps Alexander Aluhona

Agger's future has been the subject of some debate in recent days, with Manchester City and Barcelona being touted as potential suitors. He has been nursed through pre-season after returning late from Euro 2012 and it was deemed best for him to sit this assignment out.
'The plan was always for Daniel to stay behind,' explained Rodgers, who saw Joe Cole pull up with what he described as a "little tingle" in his hamstring. 'I have to make sure he is up to speed before he plays.'
Given the respective standings of the clubs, many would have expected Rodgers' first night at the helm to be comfortable but the reality was somewhat different, as Gomel's enthusiastic players hustled and bustled for every ball, pestering those in Red to the point of distraction.

Eye on the ball: Liverpool's Martin Skrte takes on Gomel's Alexander Aluhona

In control: Jose Enrique holds off Tomasz Novak

Fortunately for Rodgers, despite the best efforts of Gomel's direct forward Aleksander Alumona, his defence held firm. Jamie Carragher, captaining Liverpool on his 700th appearance, was typically assured, making crucial blocks whenever they were required.
If they were lucky to go into the break all-square, they needed even more good fortune to remain level on 65 minutes; when Dzmitry Platonaw was presented with a glorious chance he seemed certain to score but succeeded only in slicing wide after Sergei Kozeka rattled a post.
Moments later they paid the heaviest price. Downing did not have many options when he found himself 25 yards out but it didn't matter, as he crashed a drive past Vladimir Bushma to give Liverpool an advantage that, with a second leg at Anfield to come, they will not squander.

Under pressure: Liverpool's Stewart Downing, left, battles with Gomel's Mikalai Kashenski

Cameron meets Putin to discuss Syria, Litvinenko... and the Russian's favourite sport judo is on the agenda too

• PM accompanied Putin, who has a black belt in the martial art, to the ExCel arena to watch his favourite sport
• In another gaffe the Mayor of London suggested the Russian president take his clothes off and take part in the London 2012 judo
• Cameron later gave chocolate brownies to troops guarding the Olympics

David Cameron held a meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin today in an attempt to improve the two countries' fragile relationship - before both heading off to watch some Olympics judo.
The Prime Minister tried to push the former KGB spy to take a tougher line on Syria, Russia's firmest foothold in the Middle East, and stop blocking Western-backed resolutions aimed at stepping up pressure on President Bashar al-Assad.
But after 45 minutes of talks, for which Putin put in an unusually punctual appearance, Cameron and Putin said Russia and Britain still differed over Syria.

Improving relations: Before the judo, David Cameron warmly greeted Russian President Vladimir Putin on the steps of Downing Street

Friendly: Russian President Vladmir Putin, left and David Cameron watch the judo this afternoon, after holding talks on Syria earlier in the day

Celebration: David Cameron congratulates Britain's Gemma Gibbons, right, on her silver medal after the women's -78kg final judo match

Taking an interest: Putin and Cameron look deep in concentration as they watch the judo

Mr Putin was also meant to appear at a joint press conference at Downing Street but was allowed to pull out.
The Prime Minister and the Russian leader followed their meeting this afternoon with a visit to the Olympic judo venue, a discipline in which Putin holds a black belt.

 

Reporters had been desperate to ask him about the 2006 murder of Russian dissident Alexander Litvinenko who was poisoned with radioactive material.
Since the killing Russia has refused British extradition requests to take the chief suspect in the case, ex-KGB agent Andrei Lugovoi, to the UK for questioning.

Sensitive: It is the Russian leader's first visit to Britain in seven years

Diplomatic: In an attempt to improve Britain's edgy relationship with the Russians, David Cameron shielded Mr Putin from difficult questions today

Shielded: The Russian president was meant to appear at a joint press conference at Downing Street but was allowed to pull out

Crunch talks: David Cameron and Vladimir Putin in Downing Street today but Boris Johnson's comments may not have helped already tense relations between the two countries

Goodbye: Putin waves to the Press as he leaves Downing Street

The attempt at warmer relations disappointed Mr Litvinenko’s widow, Marina, who said she was 'dismayed' by the visit.

'To show that Mr Putin is not welcome here, I urge my fellow Londoners to put on a white ribbon, the symbol of Russian protest, on the day Mr Putin arrives,' she said.
Mr Putin was also able to avoid questions from about a group of leading musicians who have called for for a fair hearing to be given to members of a punk band facing prison for performing what they say was a 'legitimate protest'.
The trio Pussy Riot face up to seven years behind bars after staging a performance in a Moscow cathedral calling on the Virgin Mary to remove President Putin from power.

Macho man: Vladimir Putin shown here topless while riding a horse in his native Russia

Out and about: The Russian president, again topless, is shown here enjoying a shoot

Tough guy: Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (in white) is a black belt in judo so Mr Johnson suggested he strip to the waist and take part in the Games

Jarvis Cocker, Pete Townshend, Martha Wainwright and Neil Tennant were among those who raised concerns about the 'preposterous' charge in a letter to The Times.
Meanwhile, just a day after the gaffe-prone Boris Johnson got himself stuck on a zip-wire he has now decided to do his bit for British-Russian relations, with similarly embarrassing results.
As the two countries prepared for their delicate talks today, the Mayor of London instead challenged Russian leader Vladimir Putin to 'strip to the waist' and take part in this afternoon's Olympic judo contest.

Red-faced: A day after the gaffe-prone Boris Johnson got himself stuck on a zip-wire he has now decided to do his bit for British-Russian relations, with similarly embarrassing results

Putting his foot in it: A day after getting stuck above a crowd in London Boris Johnson has today decided to turn his hand to diplomatic relations

Familiar with Putin's passion for the sport, Johnson joked that the Russian president might join in the judo when he visited the Olympic Park.
'I hope he will take part - isn’t he a dab hand?'  the Mayor said.
'I think that’s what people want to see - stripped to the waist.
'We want the politicians’ Olympics, that’s what we want.'

Thanks a bunch: Prime Minister David Cameron then went off to hand out brownies to soldiers helping with the Olympic Games

Tea time: Soldiers of 5th Battalion The Rifles, normally stationed in Germany, are giving up their time off to guard London 2012

After the key talks, Mr Cameron said thank you to some of the troops providing security for the Olympic Games by serving them chocolate brownies and tea.
The soldiers, mostly infantrymen from 5th Battalion the Rifles based at Paderborn in Germany, were guarding the St James’s Park entrance to Downing Street, alongside the Olympic beach volleyball arena on Horse Guards Parade.
Members of 5 Rifles were called in to fill gaps left by private security firm G4S weeks after the battalion came back from a six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan.
Some of them told the Prime Minister today that their leave had been cancelled so they could take part in Olympic duties, and Mr Cameron told them he was sure that they would get the leave back later.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said: 'The Prime Minister is obviously aware of the great job the soldiers are doing all around London to deliver a safe and secure Games and he wanted to go out and thank the soldiers working at the back of No 10.'

Her Royal Hugness: Kate and Wills celebrate with a rare public display of affection as Britain's cyclists continue Team GB's Olympic domination

• Couple took advantage of London's Olympic lanes to cross the city from Wimbledon to Stratford in super fast time
• Made a quick change in to sporty navy and white matching polo shirts
• Cheered and clapped as Chris Hoy and the sprint team rode for gold
• Hoy earns fifth Olympic gold medal
• Earlier today the couple joined president of the International Tennis Federation Francesco Ricci Bitti to cheer Murray to victory
• Kate wore recycled Stella McCartney dress that she wore two weeks ago at the National Portrait Gallery

If Team GB are planning on giving out medals to their top supporters the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge should be in the running for gold.
After enthusiastically cheering on Andy Murray on the tennis courts of Wimbledon, South West London today, the couple zipped across town in time to see the British men's pursuit team smash the world record in their qualifying round and then go on to win gold in a breathtaking race.
No doubt Kate and William took advantage of the Olympic lanes in the Capital reserved for VIPs, and style icon Kate even found time to change out of her Stella McCartney shift dress and in to a sporty white polo shirt.

Jubilation: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge show their delight after Sir Chris Hoy, Philip Hindes and Jason Kenny stormed to success in the velodrome yesterday afternoon

William and Kate embrace in the crowd as Team GB storms home in the velodrome

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are close as they join in the fun with Prince Harry at the Veledrome with a wave

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William Duke of Cambridge cheer trackside while watching the cycling at the Velodrome

Joined by Prince Harry and Sophie Countess of Wessex in the seats the young Royal couple looked delighted to be attending yet another Olympic event.
Since the Games started on Saturday the two of them have taken full advantage of their VIP invites and have already been guests of honour at the equestrian events two days running and today's tennis.
Super supporter William visited Wembley to watch Team GB play football at the weekend as well as joining brother Harry at the rowing event in day five.
And they even found time to visit the athletes in the Olympic Village together on Tuesday where swimmer Rebecca Adlington gushed about Kate's navy blue shoes.

Another event, another Mexican wave ... the couple join in with the crowd at the velodrome with William watching them on the big screen up above

The delighted Duchess beams with excitement as she chats to cyclist fans in the crowd and prepares to watch Chris Hoy and his pursuit team race in the final

Harry gives the cyclists a thumbs up as his brother and sister-in-law concentrate on the programme of events

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Prime Minister David Cameron laugh as they watch the track cycling on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge speaks with Prime Minister David Cameron

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prime Minister David Cameron take part in a Mexican wave as they watch the track cycling

As an ambassador for Team GB Kate's presence is a brilliant support for the team, and she followed up yesterday's patriotic wardrobe choice of a Team GB Union Jack scarf with a an official polo shirt from the organisation.
Husband William wore a matching navy version with smart chinos.
Arriving at the veledrome just in time to see Team GB break a world record in the qualifying round, the couple laughed and joked with other VIP guests including Prime Minister David Cameron who also joined the pair in a group Mexican wave, their second of the day.
Prior to the first record-breaking round world champion cyclist and pundit Mark Cavendish told the BBC: 'I'm not just expecting a win, I'm expecting them to smash it. They've got the best team in the world. They're on form, I know they are. They will break world records.'
He was right, and minutes later to the delight of the Royal spectators and the 4000 strong crowd in the velodrome the British team broke the world record in a time of three minutes 52.499 seconds.
Mark said: 'It was incredible. It was so smooth. They stayed so smooth and consistently kept plugging away and the world record came. I think they have got more to come. They have three rides at the Olympic Games, so they have to keep a little bit back but I think they will give more.'

Fans cheer on Great Britain's Chris Hoy after the team sprint qualifying on the first day of the track cycling at the Velodrome in the Olympic Park

Watch out Wiggins, golden boy Chris Hoy celebrates his win by raising a fist to the ecstatic crowds before accepting his fifth gold medal alongside Jason Kenny and Phil Hindes

In formation: Great Britain's men ride towards their new world record as the Velodrome crowd look on

Team GB sprint team Jason Kenny, Philip Hindes and Sir Chris Hoy pose with their gold medals

Fans celebrate in the Olympic Park as Sir Chris Hoy wins the gold medal in the Men's Team Sprint event

Jason Kenny, Chris Hoy and Phil Hindes then went on to beat France in the final breaking another world record and winning another gold for team GB.
Earlier today The Duke and Duchess were court side in the Royal Box at Wimbledon to cheer Andy Murray on to victory in the men's singles quarter finals against Nicolas Almagro of Spain.
After showing her emotion at Murray's Wimbledon defeat earlier this year, Kate seemed overjoyed to be returning to Centre Court to support the British favourite.
Kate and her husband William got into the supportive spirit quickly and joined in with another Mexican wave that ran through the crowd during the match.

Prince William and Kate joined the crowd in doing the wave at the match between Andy Murray and Nicolas Almagro at the All England Lawn Tennis Club at Wimbledon today

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge really got into the spirit of support Andy Murray in the men's singles quarter finals at Wimbledon today

The young Royals were great sports and got involved with the crowds cheering on Andy Murray at the match today

Kate looked as impossibly chic as ever in an electric blue £515 Stella McCartney knee-length dress which she teamed with her new favourite Smythe navy blazer with gold buttons that she has been spotted wearing to two Olympic events already this week.
Known for her wardrobe choice recyclables, Kate recently wore the blue dress to the opening of the The Road To 2012: Aiming High exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, which she teamed with a £49,000 gold hooped necklace.

Andy Murray beat Nicolas Almagro at the All England Lawn Tennis Club at Wimbledon with Kate and William cheering him on

She also wore her signature £145 Givenchy sunglasses to the event, which she has been sporting regularly throughout the Olympics.
The young Royals seemed to be enjoying the sunny day on Centre Court and, as keen tennis fans, they seemed delighted at being able to watch such a nail-biting match live.
The couple were accompanied by the president of the International Tennis Federation, Francesco Ricci Bitti, and were welcomed with a round of applause from the stands.
The Duke and Duchess looked relaxed as they chatted to each other between the points, and seemed happy to join in the fun with the crowd, taking part in the Mexican waves which spread around the stands during the change-overs.
The couple rose to their feet when Murray clinched victory in an emphatic two sets, winning by 6-4 6-1.
They were given another round of applause as they left the stands, while Murray, who will now play either Novak Djokovic or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the last four, walked off the court to deafening cheers.

Andy Murray, one of Team GB's strong podium hopefuls, has moved within one match of securing at least a silver medal at the Olympic Games after dismantling Spaniard Nicolas Almagro in today's quarter-final.

The Scot - who lost only a month ago in the Wimbledon final to Roger Federer - is desperate to earn a gold medal at the Games after his plucky defeat at SW19, and must progress through the semi-final and the final to fulfill his dream.
Serbia's Novak Djokovic or France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga await the Scot now, and he could meet world No 1 Federer in the final.
Being cheered on by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, his Mother, Judy, and girlfriend Kim Sears - the Scot sought to take the game to his opponent.
After winning he threw his wrist bands in the air, and roared before his signature salute to the skies before leaving the court, proving just how much an Olympic podium place would mean to him.
After his tearful Wimbledon final defeat to Federer, Murray is on course to take an Olympic medal one way or the other. But with Djokovic or Tsonga lying in wait, it will be tough for the Scot to achieve bronze or silver.

 

Speaking after his win he said: 'We get to watch a lot of the Olympics on the TV, and we saw cycling and rowing starting to pick up the medal count yesterday and the team is doing well, so hopefully I can add to that.

'The pressure and the atmosphere is different for the Olympics, but once I'm on court, I'm trying to play the way I played at Wimbledon. If you try and change, it generally doesn't work out that well.'

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge looked delighted with Murray's victory today which sets him in a good position for taking home a medal

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge looked very happy as they watched Great Britain's Andy Murray in action, Kate, who is a keen tennis fan regularly watches the sport

Kate looked effortlessly chic in a bright blue knee-length dress which she matched with her favourite navy blazer and a blue velvet clutch. The electric blue Stella McCartney number was Kate's outfit choice just a few weeks ago at the opening of a new exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery

Kate and William avidly watched on with tense expressions as Murray suffered a slight wobble in the fourth game when he double-faulted twice, but held and then broke his opponent again in the following game with a brilliant forehand.
The Scot held superbly before breaking the Spaniard again in the seventh game to seal a victory that was greeted by a standing ovation from the crowd, including the Royal couple.

Despite the crowd's enthusiasm for the British number one's Olympics bid, there were still rows of empty seats in the stands, particularly in the lower tiers.
Hundreds of fans visiting the All England Club without tickets to the match gathered outside the court on Murray Mound to watch the action on the big screen as the sun shone down.
Murray was delighted with the quickfire victory in front of William and Kate.
He said: 'I didn't speak to them after the match but it's always nice when you're playing in front of royalty.
'When you get people like that coming along it helps raise the profile of the sport.
'It was a good performance today. I served well and that helped. It was good to get it finished early. I didn't want a long match because I am playing in the doubles this afternoon. Now I hope I can get a medal.'
Murray was disappointed to see rows of empty seats on Court One, however, and urged organisers to make sure the stands are full for his semi-final, and Sunday's medal matches.
'I would like to see all the seats full in all of the stadium but for whatever reason they haven't been,' the Scot said.
'The support inside and outside the stadiums has been great so hopefully over the weekend we will get all the courts packed.
'Centre Court was really busy the last two rounds I have played on there and hopefully they will all be full. Everyone wants to see that.
'Lots of people want to see the Games, there are lots of people trying to get tickets and it's not easy so I don't want to see any empty seats.'

The young Royals both looked effortlessly smart in the Royal box today as they cheered Andy Murray on to victory. William was once again spotted sporting his Team GB pin

Thank heavens for that: Murray did his signature salute to the skies after winning against Almagro at the quarter finals match today

Kate and William were immersed in the match and looked tense as they watched the Olympic hopeful play

Tennis fans gathered to watch Andy Murray play Nicolas Almagro in the Quarterfinal of Men's Singles Tennis on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Wimbledon