United look to Gattuso as Keane heir

**nismo** · 19/01/2006, 7:24 PM

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has targeted AC Milan midfield enforcer Gennaro Gattuso to fill the gaping hole left by Roy Keane’s departure earlier this season.

Keane’s contract was terminated by mutual consent in November after a series of bust-ups with Ferguson.

He went on to join Celtic, making his debut last week, but United have struggled to replace him, with Ferguson attempting to convert Keane’s fellow Irishman John O’Shea and former striker Alan Smith into holding midfielders.

But the United boss is ready to bite the bullet and mount a bid for one of the continent’s specialist midfield ball-winners in the shape of Gattuso.

The Italian international, who turned 28 earlier this month, has been a real presence at Milan since joining from Salernitana seven years ago.

According to sports daily Gazzetto dello Sport, the former Rangers man could move to Old Trafford as part of a swap deal which would see striker Ruud van Nistelrooy go the other way.

**drinkfeckarse** · 20/01/2006, 7:49 AM

Why the red face smilie?? Gattuso's a fine player who would do a great job for Man Utd.

**ccfcman** · 20/01/2006, 10:46 AM

Two things, this is ooooold news and no way will the transfer involve a swap of any kind let alone van Nistelrooy.

Utd had their chance vor Gatusso four years ago and again two years ago, what the hell are they waiting foir, hes a better player than Keane IMO.

**Terry** · 20/01/2006, 10:58 AM

Milan have put a price tag of £5 million sterling on his head ! not much for a player of his calibre? As they say in the stockmarket world BUY BUY BUY !!

**OwlsFan** · 20/01/2006, 12:14 PM

Is that the little pipsqueak who used to play for Rangers. Roy Keane in his prime would have eaten him alive. Great at gesturing to referees but as a replacement for Keane (if they mean like for like by that) I think not.

**declan hide** · 20/01/2006, 12:20 PM

Gattusos the footballer equivalent of a duracell bunny.

**Schumi** · 20/01/2006, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by Terry

Milan have put a price tag of £5 million sterling on his head !

Is he out of contract soon or something? That sounds amazingly cheap.

**Terry** · 20/01/2006, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by Schumi

Is he out of contract soon or something? That sounds amazingly cheap.

I believe hes contracted till summer of 2007.

**pete** · 20/01/2006, 1:16 PM

Originally Posted by OwlsFan

Is that the little pipsqueak who used to play for Rangers.

I think hes the player that won the European Cup with Milan. The SPL was hardly a significant part of his career in comparisin.

**ThatGuy** · 20/01/2006, 3:47 PM

Why is signing Gattuso funny? Same as people thinking making Gary Neville the captain is funny? Neville is a product of the Man United youth system and as solid a defender as any in the world, a class act, and Gattuso is one of the best defensive midfielders in the business.

**The Stars** · 20/01/2006, 6:17 PM

they would be better off buying Mavuba from Bordeaux.

**Redtop** · 20/01/2006, 10:10 PM

hes to good a player to go to man who?

**eirebhoy** · 22/01/2006, 3:38 PM

If they want someone who is going to run around doing a load of off the ball work then they have Alan Smith to do that. Man Utd need a holding midfielder, Gattuso is an excellent player but not what United need.