Gentle soul

Remember a fortnight ago we told you that Manchester United were interested in Parma's Saliou Lassissi? No? Well, we did. Update: if, as planned, United send a scout to watch him in action at the African Nations Cup for the Ivory Coast they'll be awful disappointed - he won't be there. Where do we start? After thumping a team-mate during preparations for the finals last week Lassissi was thrown into a Nigerian military prison camp and was only released when Michel Platini intervened on his behalf. On his release the Ivory Coast promptly sent him back to Parma - but he's not much use to them either because he's in the middle of a suspension after one of his several sendings-off this season. Clearly a player with such a volatile temperament has no place at Old Trafford. (Expect him to join next week).