United 'rejected' Mascherano

David Gill has claimed that Man Utd were offered Javier Mascherano last week.

The 22-year-old midfielder sealed a surprise move from Corinthians to West Ham on transfer deadline day, along with Argentine compatriot Carlos Tevez.

Questions have been asked as to how The Hammers managed to beat off competition from the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and United to sign the highly-rated duo.

However, Red Devils chief executive Gill has now revealed that Mascherano was offered to the Old Trafford club on a short-term deal.

"We were never interested in Tevez. Mascherano, we were offered him," Gill said.

"We watched him throughout last season and he played at the World Cup, clearly.

"We were offered him at the start of the summer transfer window for a significant sum. The manager and his staff did not want to pursue that.

"We were also offered him towards the back end of last week in a loan-type deal for a year, and again we were not interested in that.

"From Manchester United's perspective, Tevez was never on the shopping list. Mascherano we watched closely and very carefully and the experts on that area in our club determined that we did not want to go for him."

United had intended to bring Owen Hargreaves into their midfield this summer but were frustrated as Bayern Munich refused to sell.

Nevertheless, Gill has confirmed that United are still interested in the England man, indicating that they could still have a chance of signing him in January.

"Owen was on record as being very interested in coming to us and we were clearly very interested in Owen," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"He is a player we have had on the list for quite a while, actually.

"Obviously Bayern were very keen - and are very keen - to keep him. We will have to see.

"If that situation does not change, then obviously we will not acquire Owen.

"But Bayern have indicated to me that they will let us know if the situation changes and at that point, we hopefully can consummate a deal.

"These things do not just happen on January 1, one has discussions around the year on these particular transactions."

Wayne Rooney, meanwhile, is expected to sign a new, long-term contract soon.

The 20-year-old is currently two years into a six-year deal, but both he and his employers are keen to extend his commitment to the club beyond 2010.

"He is a key player for us and his eagerness to sign a long-term deal is great," Gill remarked.

"I think there will be developments on that in the course of the next two or three months.

"We want to sit down and tie him to the club for longer, and really importantly for us and for our fans, he wants to do that."