FERGIE ABOUT TO BAIA?

Sir Alex Ferguson has not had a settled number one since Peter Schmeichel departed for Sporting Lisbon in the summer. `Bosman` signing from Aston Villa Mark Bosnich had finally won the battle for the number one jersey before breaking down with a hamstring injury against Everton on 5 November. This is the Australian`s second major hamstring of the season and his fitness problems are a major concern for Ferguson.

Bosnich failed to convince his manager in pre-season and this forced the wily Scot to dip into the transfer market. He paid Venezia £4.5 million for Massimo Taibi in the hope that the big-Italian would bring stability to the back line. However a string of catastrophic blunders has forced the stopper to return to his original goalkeeping tutor in Naples. This has left Ferguson with just the veteran Raymond Van Der Gouw and the untried ex-York City youngster Nick Culkin.

Fergie has extended his search for a reliable net-minder to the continent and Barcelona`s on-loan Baia (pictured) has caught the eye. The 29-year-old is currently on loan at Porto and sources at the club confirmed that United were represented at their recent Champions League match with Real Madrid and they enquired into Baia`s availability.

Baia is committed to seeing out the remainder of the season in Portugal, and this will suit Ferguson who does not want to splash out on a new face straight away, but he wants the matter resolved before next season.

Baia had earlier been linked with a move to Bobby Robson`s Newcastle. The Magpies` boss took Baia to Barcelona during his spell with the Catalan club and rated him as the best goalkeeper in the world.

Barca would demand a fee in the region of £3.5 million, a price beyond the means of Porto but not a problem for the Old Trafford outfit.

Alex Livie