United could gamble on Hargreaves

Alex Ferguson could take a £20million gamble on Owen Hargreaves before he recovers from his broken leg.

The Bayern Munich midfielder is Manchester United's number one New Year transfer target, despite being sidelined from the injury he suffered in September.

Hargreaves is expected to be out of action for another six weeks but, according to reports, Ferguson is ready to double the original offer United made in the summer.

Although the deal would hang on the England international passing a medical, Ferguson indicated on Saturday night that he did not regard his slow recovery has a major obstacle.

He said: "The broken leg issue is there with Hargreaves but you can still sign a player if he comes through a medical. We will have to wait and see what happens."

Bayern are ready to make an audacious bid to include Gabriel Heinze as part of the deal.

PSG, Inter Milan and Real Madrid are all reportedly interested in signing the Argentine but Bayern are in the best position to use his apparent availability to their advantage.