Gattuso plays down Man United link

Italy midfielder Gennaro Gattuso has down played reports of a potential move to Manchester United.

The AC Milan player has been linked with the Premiership as his current club faces accusations of wrongdoing in the match-fixing scandal which has tarnished Serie A.

Prosecutors have called for Milan, Juventus, Fiorentina and Lazio to be relegated.

"I am certain that I will remain at AC Milan and that I will play in Serie A next season," Gattuso said. "If this doesn't happen, then I will talk to the club and hope to remain and finish my career at Milan."

Italy coach Marcello Lippi was also linked with a move to Manchester United in the British press, but Gattuso, who will play in Sunday's World Cup final against France, said: "The press can write whatever they want.

"At this point, I cannot think of another club wanting me or anything else but Sunday's final. This game is bigger than myself, I have never expected to be able to play a World Cup final, so all my energy is directed at this."

Lippi has yet to confirm whether he will remain in charge of the Azzurri after the end of the tournament.

"I hope that Lippi stays with us," Gattuso said. "Beside the enormous respect and friendship that I have with him, he is able to get the best out of his players and that's very important for our national team."  PA