But Roeder has scotched suggestions that Yorke is on the verge of bolstering West Ham's attack.

"I haven't seen the reports but I understand there is a story saying we have allegedly made a bid of £7m for Dwight Yorke. It is not true, it is pure fantasy," Roeder told the club's official site.

''Dwight Yorke is a fantastic player. But he is a Manchester United player and a very good one.

"Any Premiership manager would admire Dwight Yorke's ability; he is a proven goalscorer and doesn't need me to tell you what he can do and what he can't do.

"£7m at this stage would be out of the question for us; there is no truth in the story whatsoever.

"The speculation is well wide of the mark and I hope it doesn't persist because it must be unsettling for the player and Manchester United."