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| Fulham defender Steve Finnan has been linked to Man U. |
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MANCHESTER UNITED are ready to hijack Liverpool's bid for Steve Finnan in an audacious £4million swoop.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has made his interest in the Fulham right- back known following the injury which has ruled Wes Brown out for up to eight months.
Liverpool have shaken hands on an unofficial agreement with Fulham that Finnan will join them for £3.5m this summer.
But United believe they can persuade Finnan to have a late change of heart and abandon his Anfield plans for a move to Old Trafford.
They succeeded with the tactic four years ago when Mikael Silvestre ditched a switch to Liverpool at the last minute in favour of their old foes United.
The injury to Brown, combined with the long-term absence of the crocked Gary Neville, has forced Ferguson to enter the transfer market for a new right- back.
Fergie has been a long-time admirer of Republic of Ireland defender Finnan and has had the 27-year-old watched several times.
Finnan will leave Fulham in the summer and newly-crowned Premiership champions United hope to land him with the promise of Champions League football.
Liverpool failed to secure a spot in European football's elite tournament after losing to Chelsea on the last day of the season.
Although Fergie can play Silvestre or John O'Shea in central defence beside Rio Ferdinand, that still leaves him short of cover in the full- back slots, with only Phil Neville to call on.