TRANSFER RUMOUR

MANCHESTER UNITED are ready to hijack Liverpool's bid for Steve Finnan in an audacious £4million swoop.

Liverpool have shaken hands on an unofficial agreement with Fulham that Finnan will join them for £3.5m this summer.

But United believe they can persuade Finnan to have a late change of heart and abandon his Anfield plans for a move to Old Trafford.

They succeeded with the tactic four years ago when Mikael Silvestre ditched a switch to Liverpool at the last minute in favour of their old foes United.

The injury to Brown, combined with the long-term absence of the crocked Gary Neville, has forced Ferguson to enter the transfer market for a new right- back.