Hargreaves deal will have to wait

MANCHESTER UNITED chief executive David Gill has admitted the Premiership leaders have virtually no chance of signing Owen Hargreaves before the transfer window shuts on Wednesday.

Alex Ferguson made the England midfielder his number one January target but despite raising his bid to a reported £20m, it has still not been enough to persuade Bayern Munich to sell.

Following a board meeting on Thursday, Bayern officials have suggested that while there will be no deal this month, the transfer could be concluded next summer.

And, although Ferguson claimed he had not entirely given up hope of landing Hargreaves this month, Gill is adopting a more pessimistic stance.

“I can confirm we are interested in the player and we have been since last summer but at the moment Bayern Munich aren’t willing to sell him and we will have to leave it at that,” Gill admitted.

Indeed it appears increasingly likely that Henrik Larsson will be the only new face to arrive at Old Trafford this month.

But, Gill was more definite in confirming Cristiano Ronaldo’s long-term future remains at Old Trafford.

Four days after Alex Ferguson slapped a ‘hands-off’ warning on the Portugal winger amid rumoured interest from Real Madrid, Gill made it clear no amount of money could prise Ronaldo away from Old Trafford.

“There is no point having £35m or £45m if you can’t replace that talent.

“At 21, Ronaldo has had a great season and the best is yet to come.

“If we did get a bid, I would tell the Glazer family. But I know the conversation would be very brief because it would be turned down immediately,” Gill said.