 Vogel has scored twice for Switzerland |
Manchester United were keen on signing 28-year-old AC Milan midfielder Johann Vogel, according to a newspaper report. Milan general manager Ariedo Braida told the News of the World: "It is true United want to take him but we are not planning to sell at this time.
"We have an excellent relationship with manager Sir Alex Ferguson and the United board but we said we want to keep Vogel for now.
"However, I don't know what might happen in the summer."
The Swiss player, who has 78 caps for his country, joined Milan on a free transfer from PSV Eindhoven last summer but has failed to establish a regular place in the team.
United are short of midfielders, with Paul Scholes ruled out for the rest of the season with an eye problem and further injuries to John O'Shea, Ryan Giggs and Quinton Fortune.
In addition, Alan Smith is serving a suspension.
Ferguson has revealed that he did briefly consider using striker Wayne Rooney in a midfield role as a stop gap.
He said: "Wayne could play in central midfield and I have thought about it - but not for long.
"I am reluctant to do it because his best position is when he drops deep.
"But it is an option to play Wayne, Louis Saha and Ruud van Nistlerooy in the same side in some form and I do not dismiss it in the future."
MMIX
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