Premiership: Motherwell say no to United loan bid

Motherwell have confirmed an approach from Manchester United in a bid to sign former Scotland goalkeeper Andy Goram on loan.

Motherwell's director of football Pat Nevin has said the Premiership leaders were told Goram was not available on loan, but that the situation could change.

"They contacted us this morning with regards to Andy going on loan but that would not really have made sense to us because we need him," he said, adding: "It would be silly of us to lose our captain and goalkeeper at such an important part of the season."

Nevin believes Goram is one of a number of keepers United have looked at, Blackburn today said they had received no approach for Ireland international Alan Kelly.

"We are in the middle of discussions," Nevin added. "We left it open for

them to come back to us with one or two things."

Nevin explained why he stopped Goram from making the switch to Old Trafford.

An injury to top choice goalkeeper Fabien Barthez has left the Premiership champions short of goalkeeping cover as deputy Raimond van der Gouw is also unavailable.

19-year-old rookie Paul Rachubka was thrust into the first team against Leicester last week - and kept a clean sheet.

But with a Champions League quarter-final with Bayern Munich looming they have been given permission by UEFA to sign an experienced keeper on loan.

Goram, the 36-year-old former Rangers and Scotland goalkeeper, will soon be out of contract at Fir Park and unlikely to be signing a new deal.

But Motherwell rebuffed the initial bid, saying they did not want to lose him while they still had a chance of claiming a top-six place before the Scottish Premier League splits next month.

Well are currently eighth, four points behind sixth-placed Dunfermline Athletic.

But Nevin admitted the door had been left ajar for United to come back and make a more persuasive cash offer.

Nevin admitted he had been "mildly surprised" to have received the call in the first place.

He added: "It makes perfect sense though - a short-term fix for a club needing a goalkeeper. I think Andy is just one of a number of goalkeepers they have enquired about."