Barca's Xavi claims United interest

Barcelona midfielder Xavi claims Manchester United have spoken to his agent about a possible switch to Old Trafford.

The 27-year-old Spain international is under contract at the Nou Camp until 2010 but says he is a target for the Barclays Premiership leaders - although United have distanced themselves from Xavi's claims.

"It's true that the contact arrived with my agent Ivan Corretja to play for United but I have a contract with Barca and we have demanded that this (contact) was with the club," Xavi told Barca TV. "After that, I do not know what has happened between the clubs."

United have been looking to strengthen their midfield during the transfer window but appear to have been thwarted in their bid to sign Owen Hargreaves from Bayern Munich.

One rumour is that United winger Cristiano Ronaldo will be used in a possible part-exchange for Xavi, a suggestion the Barca player admits he is aware of.

He added: "In England, there's a rumour about a possible exchange between Cristiano Ronaldo and myself but I do not know of anything formally that has ever been discussed."

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard has spoken of his admiration for Ronaldo, but played down any suggestion of a winter transfer bid for the Portugal international.

Speaking ahead of tonight's Copa del Rey match with Real Zaragoza, Rijkaard described Ronaldo as a "great player" but insisted any reports of Barca making a move for the player were premature.

"Without doubt he is one of the most valuable players in world football, but now they are just rumours, there is nothing concrete," said the Dutchman. "I have to say that yes, he is a great player, but we cannot do anything else at this moment."