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United's priority midfield target Mahamadou Diarra has been urged by his Mali mentor to sign for the Reds.

Salif Keita is the president of the Mali FA and has the midfielder's ear. Sire Diallom, another former Mali international, who works for Keita at their FA, said:

"I think if Mahamadou was given the choice then he would join United if he leaves Lyon. He has called Salif to ask him his opinion and which team he thinks would be appropriate to his talent. I believe Keita has said United."

Diallom is confident that the Lyon lynchpin will fit the bill for Fergie.

"I liked Roy Keane. He is a big player to replace. ut I am pretty sure that Mahamadou can do the job. Because of the language difficulty he might not be a leader vocally but he can inspire with his work on the field.

"He is a very good midfielder. He is very strong and the physical side of the Premiership would not be a worry or a problem to him.

"It seems that Sir Alex wants a defensive midfielder to take on Keane's job and that is Diarra's strength. That's what he has done for Lyon and for the Mali team.

"I think he is one of the top three midfielders in French football and the best midfielder Mali has. iarra is a very disciplined player and would sit and do that defensive job really well for United. But Sir Alex could actually make him do anything he wants him to because Mahamadou is not just a defensive midfielder.

"He can create goals and score goals as well. There is some of Keane in him but also some of Paul Scholes as well. I also think is a similar tough player like Patrick Vieira."

So basically, a mate of a mate of a player said something and that becomes a story even though he was probably bunged a few quid to say it in the first place. Yawn.