Paolo Di Canio could still move to Manchester United, according to the West Ham manager Glenn Roeder. The proposed deal appeared to have fallen through last month but could be revived after Alex Ferguson's decision to stay in charge at Old Trafford.

United backed out of signing Di Canio when Dwight Yorke turned down the chance to join Middlesbrough. But Roeder said: "Alex did finish by saying 'you never know' and I have that last sentence in my mind. Now it looks like he is going to sign a longer contract, who knows?" A transfer to United would appear to be the only thing that could prevent Di Canio returning to Italy.

The striker had been keen to sign a two-year extension to his current contract that would have seen him stay at Upton Park until 2005. West Ham, however, are understood to have offered only a one-year deal, which yesterday prompted Di Canio to state he will go back to his native Italy when his current contract expires at the end of next season.

"I don't want another contract," he said. "I have the next three months plus one year and then, for family reasons, I want to go back to Italy."

Roeder added: "He has had a difficult time recently. He comes from a big family and the member of the family he was very close to passed away recently."

Ferguson is set to sign his new contract to continue as manager of Manchester United on Monday.