Manchester United 'turned down Maschareno'

When it was announced that Carlos Tévez and Javier Mascherano had signed for West Ham United on the last day of the transfer window, there was widespread disbelief, with some cynics mischievously suggesting that the Argentinean pair had got the wrong 'United'. The weekend reports, however, reveal that Manchester United were never interested in signing the fiery Tévez, and they actually turned down the chance to bring Mascherano to Old Trafford. 

David Gill, the club's chief executive, revealed that they were offered the defensive midfielder for a hefty sum at the beginning of the summer transfer window, and then later in a loan-type deal. He confirmed, "Tévez was never on the shopping list. Mascherano we watched closely and the experts on that area, the manager and his staff, determined that we did not want to go for him." 

This prompted some fans to question exactly why they weren't interested. Having sold Ruud Van Nistlerooy to Real Madrid, and then shipped out the promising Giuseppe Rossi on loan. A striker seemed to top their list of requirements. The case of Mascherano is perhaps even more curious. Sir Alex Ferguson seemed determined to purchase a holding midfielder to step into the formidable boots of Roy Keane. Having plumped for Michael Carrick in a deal that may rise to 18 million that seemed to be the end of the matter. 

However, United declared their interest in England's rising star Owen Hargreaves despite his unavailability being stressed in the strongest words by Bayern Munich. If Mascherano was always being offered to Manchester United, their rejection may come back to haunt Sir Alex, especially if the Argentinean thrives at West Ham and Carrick struggles.