United, Sporting continue negotiations over Rojo deadlock

Zee Media Bureau/Dattaraj Thaly

New Delhi: Manchester United continued their on-going negotiations with Sporting Lisbon on Thursday to finalize a deal for Macros Rojo. After initial rounds of discussion, the Portuguese club had rejected United`s £15.9million offer for the left-back. Apart from handing in his transfer request, the 24-year-old had also refused to train with Sporting till they resolve the transfer saga to his satisfaction. In a new twist, advisers have now threatened legal action against the Lisbon club. United are aiming to resort to negotiations to resolve the issue as soon as possible to complete the transfer. The Red Devils are in desperate need to sign the Argentine especially with an injury to newly signed Luke Shaw, who is expected to be out for a month. They are also fairly short in defense after the exits of Patrice Evra, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Alexander Buttler. After failing to land the experienced Thomas Vermaelen, another grave concern for Louis van Gaal would be the fitness of his three center-backs Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones and if United can reach an agreement with Sporting, Rojo will be expected to play as a center-back as well as a left-back depending on the demands of the situation. Rojo shot to prominence at the recently concluded FIFA World Cup in Brazil where he was impressive in the left-back position for Argentina. United and Sporting have a history of doing amicable business and have completed several transfers prior to this including those of Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Nani. The 24-year-old played as a first choice left-back in Alejandro Sabella`s side at the World Cup. He scored a goal in six appearances and helped Argentina enter the final.