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Sir Alex keen on Rossi return

23/11/2008

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed he wants to re-sign striker Giuseppe Rossi from Villarreal.

Manchester United will come up against Italian Rossi in the Champions League group game on Tuesday.

Ferguson sold Rossi for £6.6 million last year but insisted a buy-back clause be inserted into his contract.

It is thought the ex-Parma forward would cost United more than they sold him for just over a season ago.

But Ferguson said he would consider bringing back Rossi to boost his strike force, who failed to find the net in yesterday's 0-0 draw with Aston Villa.

"He's a good player, in fact, an excellent player. It was difficult to let him go to Villarreal," the Scot said.

"It was based on the fact that he wanted first-team football and we couldn't guarantee him that.

"When they offered the money they did for him and we got the buy-back clause, it became attractive to us.

"We'd consider buying him back. We will keep our options open."

Ferguson's comments about Rossi cast further doubt on Carlos Tevez's future at Old Trafford. The European champions have yet to offer the Argentinean a permanent deal, with his two-year loan running out at the end of the season.

Tevez, who has been linked with a move to Real Madrid, made a rare start against Villa yesterday but was substituted midway through the second half.

The striker will cost United about £32 million for a permanent transfer, according to reports.