DE BOER IN UNITED PLEA

De Boer, 30, is unhappy with his current situation at Barca, in which he has found himself out of favour with coach Llorenc Serra Ferrer.

The international stopper spoke of his situation, saying: "Manchester Utd are a huge club like Barcelona and if the chance came to go there I would talk to them, but there's nothing I can do until they make a move."

This news could interest United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who is resigned to being without De Boer's international team-mate Jaap Stam until the new year, which together with the departure of Henning Berg to Blackburn Rovers and the long-term injury to David May has severely limited his central defensive options.  United's recent away performances, in Europe in which their defence has been below par, has only highlighted the problem further.

The former Ajax man's twin brother Ronald has recently departed the Spanish giants to join his fellow compatriot Dick Advocaat at Scottish Champions Rangers, after finding himself surplus to requirements at Camp Nou.