Gattuso: I had United chance

Gennaro Gattuso admits Milan have consistently blocked any chance of him joining Manchester United.

The tenacious midfielder has repeatedly been linked with a switch to The Red Devils and has been mooted as the ideal replacement for Roy Keane.

Sir Alex Ferguson is rumoured to be a fan of the former Rangers ace, but Gattuso admits he has never spoken to the United manager.

And he also revealed that Milan president Silvio Berlusconi will do all he can to prevent him from leaving San Siro.

"Maybe for two or three years I have had the chance to go and play for Manchester," Gattuso told Sky Sports News.

"I have never spoken to Ferguson.

"At this moment it's impossible to go to another team right now as I have signed a new contract for 2011."

Gattuso will line up for Italy against Scotland on Wednesday in a Euro 2008 qualifier in Bari, but will not clash with Darren Fletcher.

The United midfielder is injured, but Gattuso feels that Fletcher, and other Scots - or Scottish-based players - could have an impact in Serie A.

He added: "Barry (Ferguson) for me could play in Serie A, the Premier League, in Spain.

"Barry, (Paul) Hartley, Fletcher, (Aiden) McGeady - he's not a Scottish player, he's an Irish player, but a good player - these players have a good chance to play in Serie A." [Via]