DON'T HOLD YOUR BREATH

United are preparing to step up their interest in French starlet Franck Ribery.

The Marseille winger, who is one of the most wanted players in Europe, has been unsettled by the departure of club coach Jean Fernandez.

French champions Lyon appear in pole-position to land the 23-year-old, with their chairman Jean-Michel Aulas keen to strike a deal.

But sources in France claim the Reds are keen to sign Ribery, with one report suggesting that boss Sir Alex Ferguson has been in contact with the player's agent Bruno Heiderscheid.

He said:

"For two weeks I have been trying to contact Pape Diouf [Marseille's chairman], either directly or through other people.

"He doesn't reply. We can't talk together about Franck's future. It seems like he wants a clash.

"It has nothing to do with Franck's contract and salary. It is not a matter of money. It is mutual confidence that we want. Jean Fernandez's departure makes Franck sad.

"I hope the chairman will change his mind but he refuses to speak with us. He is too rigid."

Ribery:

"The transfer issue? It is up to my agent. I don't want to think about it and I haven't answered my phone for a few days.

"But Jean Fernandez's departure has hurt me. He is someone that has counted on me a lot, and, for sure, his departure can have consequences.

"We will see who Marseille will chose to replace him."