Roberto Carlos could head up Fergie's wish list

Brazil's World Cup winning fullback Roberto Carlos could be the subject of a bidding duel between Arsenal and Manchester United it was reported on Monday.

The 29-year-old Real Madrid star had said Sunday he would like a move to Arsenal when his current contract ends in two years but according to the Daily Mail Roberto Carlos could well be on Ferguson's wish list should Welsh winger Ryan Giggs move to Inter Milan in the summer.

The fiery Scot has been told in no uncertain terms by chief executive Peter Kenyon a second successive season without a trophy will not be good enough and the Champions League looks to represent their best chance of winning one.

They have reached the quarter-finals with two matches remaining of the second group phase, and still have a chance of dethroning champions Arsenal in the Premiership, whom they trail by five points.

However according to the Mail Ferguson is prepared to offload several players in the close season and bring in fresh talent with Spurs highly-rated winger Simon Davies one of his main targets.

Also on the list are Sunderland's young French striker David Bellion, who Ferguson has been an admirer of for some time, and compatriot Julien Escude, who the Scot wanted to sign from Rennes last year before injury ruled him out.

United captain Roy Keane said it would be logical that several players would find themselves on the way out if they finished without any silverware.

"If things don't go according to plan then, come the end of the season, we have to face the music," the former Ireland captain said.

"That's the way it should be and I'm not frightened of it.
"That is what being a Manchester United player is all about," he added.