Rossi sees red in Italy win

Italy overcame Portugal on penalties to seal a berth at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, despite the sending off of Giuseppe Rossi.

The United striker received his marching orders in Nijmegen after collecting a second booking for dissent in the 74th minute.

Rossi had earlier come close to opening the scoring for the Azzurini, showing great pace to burst past three Portuguese defenders and into the area, but his powerful shot was superbly blocked by goalkeeper Paulo Ribeiro.

New United team-mate Nani also enjoyed an eventful game for the Portuguese, going close on two occasions to opening the scoring for the underdogs.

Nani did find the net eventually, in the subsequent penalty shootout after the match had finished 0-0, but misses from team-mates Manuel Fernandes and Antunes gifted Italy a 4-3 win and a berth in China.

No United bid for Italian

United have not voiced an interest in Sampdoria striker Fabio Quagliarella, according to the player's agent.

The 23-year-old Italian international has been linked with Old Trafford in recent weeks but, although agent Silvio Pagliari claims United are interested, no move has materialised.

Pagliari told BBC Sport: "I know there's some interest from Manchester United. I'm very proud of it, as he is. But United have had no contact with me or with Sampdoria.

"He'd be keen on playing in England, for sure. We have many things to think of, as many big clubs in Italy too are interest in a player like Fabio.

"We can talk about Inter Milan, Juventus, Man Utd, Chelsea - this is no problem for the player as they are all massive clubs."

A host of strikers from across Europe have been linked with United ever since Chief Executive David Gill's admission that the Reds could be tempted into action if the right target became available.