Quagliarella: United still want me
by Adam Marshall, 11 February 2008
Udinese and Italy striker Fabio Quagliarella has claimed that Manchester United are still interested in his signature.
The 25-year-old has admitted he is a fan of Wayne Rooney after watching the Red Devils hit-man on television, and feels flattered to be continually linked with a move to Old Trafford in some quarters.
Quagliarella lined up against Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo in last week's friendly international and grabbed the final goal, his third for the Azzurri, in a 3-1 victory for Roberto Donadoni's side in Zurich.
"I like the big Italian clubs and Spain attracts me," he told Monday's Gazzetta dello Sport. "But when I heard that Manchester were - and I think still are - interested in me, I felt very flattered.
"But I must repeat Udine is a beautiful place and I feel good. I am relaxed and aware that any decision goes through the club.
"I'm in no hurry to leave. I have five years on my contract and these are things that happen in June.
"I've only seen Rooney play on television but he made a great impression," admitted the forward.
United are likely to sign a new centre forward in the summer after their reliance on suspended striker Rooney was again illustrated in the 2-1 derby day defeat to Manchester City.
Tottenham star Dimitar Berbatov is believed to be high on Sir Alex Ferguson's hit-list but other names are certain to enter the frame as Louis Saha continues to struggle to make himself available due to his injury travails.
Manucho has been drafted in from Angola but has been loaned to Panathinaikos as he cannot obtain a work permit while promising youngster Danny Wellbeck will be expected to push his claims as the season wears on.