Rossi considering loan deal
Giuseppe Rossi would prefer to remain at Manchester United next season even though the prolific young striker accepts he may have to leave Old Trafford on loan to further his career.
Alex Ferguson has already admitted he wanted to give Rossi more first-team experience this season but the Italian forward’s opportunities have been restricted by the impressive form of Wayne Rooney, Louis Saha and Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Rossi has not made a senior appearance since scoring twice in the FA Cup replay win over Burton Albion in January but has confirmed his well-being by banging goals in on a regular basis at reserve team level.
The 19-year-old was on target again at Boundary Park on Tuesday as United’s second string began what they hope will be a trophy three-timer by beating Oldham in the Manchester Senior Cup Final.
But the Parma academy product accepts he needs to play more first-team football next term. And, although Ferguson has tended to let most of his promising youngsters leave for short spells elsewhere, Rossi’s desire is to stay where he is.
“My aim and my goal is to stay here and play with United,” said Rossi.
“If I could achieve that, it would be great. But, if there is no space in attack for me here, I guess the best move would be to go out on loan somewhere to gain experience.”
Jonathan Spector, Phil Bardsley and David Jones are among the clutch of United youngsters with senior experience who have been plying their trade elsewhere, with that trio benefiting from moves to Charlton, Burnley and NEC Nijmegen respectively.
And Rossi admits he has chatted to some of his young team-mates to find out how productive life away from United has been.
“I have spoken to a few of the lads who have been on loan,” he said.
“They have been enjoying it and doing well and when they come back they will be fighting for a first team place, so that is something to bear in mind.”
Ironically, Rossi could be one of the beneficiaries if United fail to stop Chelsea getting the point they require to retain the Premiership title at Stamford Bridge this weekend.
Although the Red Devils are determined to avoid becoming unwitting guests at Chelsea’s championship celebrations, a failure to win would leave them to end the season with two ’dead rubber’ home matches against Middlesbrough and Charlton during the last week of the campaign.
Traditionally, Ferguson has used such fixtures to blood his young stars and Rossi knows that could give him a chance.
“It would be nice to play in the last couple of games,” he said.
“We are almost secure in second place anyway, so if we don’t beat Chelsea, maybe the manager might play a few youngsters in the final two games. It is just a case of wait and see.”
Until the long-term future of Van Nistelrooy is determined, it is unlikely there will be any firm conclusion about where Rossi will spend next season.
Ferguson is convinced enough about the youngster’s talent not to even consider allowing him to leave United for good and with his three main strikers all likely to be involved in this summer’s World Cup, the Red Devils chief could hand Rossi the responsibility of leading his side’s attack on their three-match tour of South Africa in July.
“The tour does offer another opportunity to perform,” said Rossi.
“We will be playing in front of big crowds and obviously the manager and all the first-team coaching staff will be there too.
“First-team wise, not much has happened for me since the Burton Albion game, so at the moment it is about taking every opportunity I get to remind the manager what I can do.
“Everyone wants to go out to Old Trafford and play with the best players. It is the goal of everyone. You just hope your dream will come true.”
