SOCCER: Manchester United last night confirmed a fee has been agreed with Tottenham for England midfielder Michael Carrick.
United boss Alex Ferguson has had Carrick at the top of his hit-list since the end of last season and always remained optimistic he would get his man despite having a £10 million offer rejected by Spurs just before the World Cup.
Providing there are no unexpected hitches over personal terms or a medical, the 25-year-old former West Ham player will complete his Old Trafford switch on Monday.
Ferguson has, however, ruled out making a move for Tottenham's Jermain Defoe to fill the void left in Manchester United's forward line by the departure of Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Ferguson has signalled his intention to push Alan Smith back into a striker's role but it was still anticipated United would bring in an extra forward to provide competition for the first-choice pairing of Wayne Rooney and Louis Saha.
"There has not been any interest from us (in Defoe)," he said."
Instead it appears Ferguson is ready to place his trust in Giuseppe Rossi to be United's fourth striker. On the recent tour to South Africa, the manager admitted he wanted Rossi to go out on loan for six months but the teenager claimed he wanted to try to force his way into the first team on a regular basis - and he may now get his wish.
"We want to see Giuseppe progress as a centre forward and it is looking more likely he will stay with us now," Ferguson said.
Some United supporters will be concerned by the lack of cover for Rooney and Saha but they will be appeased by the signing of a key central midfielder.
"We have targeted several players but in my experience these things take time," he said. "We are not going to be stupid and just pay the price other clubs want. You have to negotiate and sometimes you have to be patient and wait for the moment when eventually the two clubs agree."
One player who will not sign for United is Milan's World Cup winner Gennaro Gattuso. Ferguson was ready to make a move for the former Rangers midfielder if Milan had suffered a similar penalty to Juventus in the Italian match-fixing scandal.
However, having been allowed to remain in Serie A and, unless Uefa decide otherwise, maintain a place in the Champions League qualifiers, Milan are in a strong bargaining position, which has made Ferguson realise any bid for Gattuso would be useless.
"We were waiting to see what was going to happen with Milan," he said. "But they are still in the European Cup and Serie A, so there is very little chance of progressing that one."
Van Nistelrooy ended a five-year association with United yesterday by completing his move to Real Madrid, saying he was delighted to join "the best club in the world".
"I am very happy to be here and I want to score many goals," he said after becoming Real's third summer signing following Fabio Cannavaro and Emerson.
The Spanish club gave no financial details but news reports said they would pay €17.5 million for the 30-year-old forward.
"Signing for Real Madrid is a dream I had as a football player and it has come true," the Dutchman said. "When Real Madrid come for you there's nothing to think about because you know it's the number one club in the whole world."
Guardian Service
