HE’D LOVE TO PLAY FOR UNITED. ERR, NO I WOULDN’T

Last updated : 12 December 2002 By newshound

Guardian

Rumours, admittedly sweeping more across north Italy than south Manchester yesterday, suggested Milan's Andrei Shevchenko - frustrated with Rivaldo and Filippo Inzaghi as first-team rivals - might be Old Trafford-bound by the end of the season. "He could certainly make a move to United because he speaks the language," offered the Ukrainian's agent Oscar Damiani. "He does not appreciate this situation with Milan, as they play with only one striker, and he will make things clear to the club at the end of the season."

Shevchenko would surely be out of United's price range and, within hours, he had laughed off the news. "I could play for Barcelona, Real Madrid or United, but I'm not over 30 yet so why would I go to England?" he said - though a cheaper option is likely to be taken up. Lazio's Argentinean Claudio Lopez would be a better bet, while the Germany international Miroslav Klose is likely to be sold by cash-strapped Kaiserslautern.