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.