[funkdoctorspock]

Man, this hurt to read. The lad is class and it was a petty we couldn't accomodate him at United.

He's been immense with Villarreal and rumours are swirling that Inter are interested in snapping him up. Crespo and Cruz will be turning 34 and Adriano is a question mark.

So, if United had the first option to buy, what do you think chances are good that United lookt to bring him back?

And, do you actually want to see him return?

Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi has distanced himself from an eventual return to former club Manchester United during an exclusive interview with setantasports.com in Spain, but the Italian would listen to any future approach from Sir Alex Ferguson.

Young Rossi spent three seasons at Old Trafford but did not pin down a regular starting berth for The Red Devils despite scoring during his debut against Sunderland.

The 21-year-old understood he would not be given the chance to prove himself by Sir Alex Ferguson and agreed to sign a long-term contract with La Liga side Villarreal last summer.

Rossi has impressed all observers, with 10 goals so far, despite being sidelined through injury for a spell. The Italy Under-21 international welcomed us to Villarreal’s Cuidad Deportiva and explained why he did not break through at United, and if he would like to return one day.

The player was asked about his thoughts about Manchester United adding a clause to his transfer to Villarreal last summer that allows The Red Devils to have first option on re-signing him.

“These are the things that I don’t think about because my main focus is just Villarreal,” he told setantasports.com.

“Manchester is my past. It was three great years with a great team, with great people, great staff, great players.

“But now you know I’m at Villarreal and I’m trying to progress as a soccer player again.

“We have no idea about what is going to happen in the future. The best thing is just to think of the present and, for me, the present is Villarreal and my main objective is to do well for them."

Rossi claims that fierce competition did not allow him to fight for a place in the squad.

“It is difficult to play in such a big team as Manchester United,” he said. “They had great strikers such as Louis Saha, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Wayne Rooney and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

“There it is very hard for a young player to try and impress the people, therefore I made the choice to go and I think it was the best option because as a young player you have to try and play and try to gain some experience.

“Coming back? I don’t know. What I have to do is show people I can play football and try to gain experience in order then to improve myself in different situations on the football field.”

When asked if Sir Alex Ferguson offered him a chance as a regular player at Old Trafford what would he decide, Rossi said: “These are things that I would have to evaluate and I would have to decide on that.

“But my mind is not on that right now, my mind is on trying to reach the goals of Villarreal."

Rossi does not think that his physique has been a problem during his quest for regular appearances in The Premier League, as his idol Gianfranco Zola, with a similar appearance, made an impact in the recent past.

“No, I don’t think that was the heart of the problem,” he said. “The problem was that I didn’t have enough chances to play.

“There have been many different Premier League players that weren’t too tall. One of the best players in the last 10, 15 years was Zola, who is shorter than me.

“So I don’t think that it was a factor. The main factor was I didn’t get enough chances to play.”
Premier League: Rossi exclusive on Man Utd - Setanta Sports

Inter Want To Sign Rossi - Report

The 21-year-old only signed for Villarreal last summer from Manchester United, however he has proved a massive hit in La Liga, and has already scored 10 goals this season.

Rossi has also been impressing for the Italy Under-21 national team, and he scored in Tuesday night’s 2-1 win over European Champions Holland.

This drew praise from Azzurrini boss Pierluigi Casiraghi, who described Rossi as “world-class” after the game.

Inter are said to be very impressed with what they have seen from Rossi and would like to partner him with Zlatan Ibrahimovic at San Siro next season.

The Nerazzurri currently have five top-class senior forwards at the club, however it is looking likely that out of these Hernan Crespo and Adriano will be moved on, while Julio Cruz is set to turn 34 and may not be able to play as many games.

Despite the emergence of teenage sensation Mario Balotelli, Inter are looking to snap up another forward, and specifically an Italian one.

President Massimo Moratti is prepared to spend up to €14m for Rossi, who has also enjoyed loan spells at Parma and Newcastle Utd.

Rossi himself has opened up the possibility of a return to Italy, but has insisted that he is happy at Villarreal.

"In Spain I am happy, but it would be great to return to Italy for a big club," he stated.

Goal.com - Transfer Zone - Inter Want To Sign Rossi - Report