Italians claim Reds interestSampdoria chief Beppe Marotta claims United are interested in signing Italian international striker Fabio Quagliarella.
Reports from Italy suggested United had offered £10million for the 23-year-old, who is rated as one of Serie A's hottest prospects, and Marotta insisted on Friday there is genuine interest from Old Trafford.
"Manchester United wants Quagliarella? This interest became clear to us some weeks ago," said Marotta. "Though nothing concrete has been suggested. Our hope is to keep him here in Genoa for at least another year."
On Thursday the player's agent, Silvio Pagliari, claimed that United had already made firm their interest in Quagliarella with a big money bid, saying: "One month ago, Manchester United made a £10million offer.
"We believe Fabio is worth between 15 to 20 million euros (£10-13million), hence if the English club's offer still stands, he could probably go abroad."
Quagliarella made 35 league appearances for Sampdoria last season, scoring 13 goals, and hit an impressive brace on his international debut earlier this month against Lithuania.