O'Shea may be the bait in Hargreaves move

Irish international John O'Shea could be offered to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich as part of a player-plus-cash deal to take England midfielder Owen Hargreaves to Manchester United, according to a report on Thursday morning.

O'Shea played at right back for Ireland against San Marino on Wednesday night.

That was his fourth different position in four Euro 2008 qualifiers, having previously played at left back, central defence and central midfield.

His progress at club level has been stunted by similar "jack-of-all-trades" responsibilities - and his time at Old Trafford could be nearing an end, with the Daily Star reporting that the Waterford man and Wes Brown are being readied as makeweights in an offer for Hargreaves.

United chief Sir Alex Ferguson failed in a bid to sign the Canadian-born star in the summer after a World Cup in which he was widely regarded England's best performer.

But Fergie will make a new offer in the January transfer window, with O'Shea and Brown to be offered to the German side in return for Hargreaves's signature.