No Man Utd approach for Shawcross

• limpper

  16 Aug 09, 17:11

  Man Utd to trump Liverpool for Stoke defender Shawcross

  Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson wants to bring Stoke City defender Ryan Shawcross back to Old Trafford.

  The Mail on Sunday says Ferguson could thwart Liverpool's interest in former Manchester United central defender Shawcross by taking him back to Old Trafford.

  The United manager is aware Liverpool have been in contact with Stoke City about the 21-year-old Chester-born six-footer and is keeping a close watch on developments.

  But the Merseysiders' hopes of signing Shawcross were dashed when they discovered United had retained first refusal on any possible future deal involving the player, who first joined Stoke on a six-month loan in August 2007.

• limpper

  18 Aug 09, 17:20

  Stoke chairman Coates: No Man Utd approach for Shawcross

  Stoke City chairman Peter Coates insists no approach from Manchester United has been fielded for Ryan Shawcross.

  Sir Alex Ferguson was at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday to cast his eye over midweek opponents Burnley – and Coates has rejected the rumours regarding Shawcross.

  “They certainly haven’t contacted me,” Coates told The Sentinel. “And I’m sure they haven’t made contact with anyone else.”