When it comes to transfer gossip, the media does not have any bigger target than Manchester United. Most are pure lies and not worth the paper that they’re written on -like this week’s report that United will be going into a January battle with Manchester City for the signature of Liverpools Fernando Torres. City? Maybe, but an Anfield hero to United can be no more than pure fantasy. When the rumour comes out of the horses mouth however, you have to think that there must be more than a hint of truth in the story.
Numerous goalkeepers have been mentioned in Sir Alex Ferguson’s quest to replace veteran Edwin van der Sar but Danish goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard has now confirmed United’s interest when he admitted “There are lots of rumours in the press about the clubs interested in me but some of them are actually quite accurate. And yes, it is Manchester United. I know there is interest from United. It is not just coming from the media.”
Lindegaard who currently plays for Norwegian side Aalesands has been regularly watched by United’s goalkeeping coach Eric Steele over the past year and has been tipped to become the new Peter Schmeichel. United are reportedly poised to make a £5million bid for Lindegaard in the January transfer window to give him time to settle in at Old Trafford before taking over from van der Sar.
While Ferguson may be nearing a solution to his goalkeeper dilemma, Brazilian international Anderson has revealed that he would like to return to Portugal sometime in the future. The 22 year old was signed by Ferguson for £17.5m in 2007 but has seen his first team chances limited in recent months
There has been much speculation about the alleged bust up between Anderson and Ferguson but full details have never been confirmed. It may never be known just how serious it was or if it genuinely happened, but there have been constant rumours about the Brazilian midfielder’s future at the club ever since the incident.
Anderson has now hinted that he wants out at Old Trafford saying “I am good in Manchester but I’d like to return to Portugal and my preference would be Porto. I love the country.” The midfielder has made 92 appearances for the United in three years and has eight caps for the Brazilian national team. The midfielder has been unfortunate with injuries during his spell at the club and clearly has the potential to be a big asset if he can start to feature regularly.
Has Ferguson finally solved his goalkeeper dilemma?
