Lindegaard confident Manchester United are interested

(GETTY IMAGES)

Manchester United look to be stepping up their search for goalkeeping reinforcements following Anders Lindegaard's claim that Sir Alex Ferguson is definitely interested in signing him.

Edwin van der Sar's future is uncertain following the veteran Dutchman's claim that he is still to decide whether to extend his career by another 12 months and Ferguson is keeping a close eye on developments across Europe.

Lindegaard has been tipped for a move to Old Trafford for some time. The new Denmark international currently plays in Norway for Aalesunds, where the 26-year-old has earned rave reviews.

The United goalkeeping coach Eric Steele is believed to have watched Lindegaard in action, and the keeper is bullish when talking about the interest from Old Trafford. "There are a lot of rumours in the press about the clubs interested in me, but some of them are actually quite accurate. And yes, it is Manchester United," said Lindegaard. "I know there is interest from United, it is not just coming from the press."

Yet Lindegaard must know he is not the only possibility for Ferguson. Schalke's Manuel Neuer captured the imagination with his performances for Germany at the World Cup, as did the Netherlands' Maarten Stekelenburg, who does not believe his long-term future is at Ajax.

"That is a club where everyone wants to play," Stekelenburg said, when asked about United. "If [Ajax manager Martin] Jol said he is aware of the interest, I will take notice. However, my agent and I haven't heard anything yet."

United will again have a reduced ticket allocation for their derby game with City at Eastlands on 10 November. Blues officials cut United's allocation by 10 per cent for last season's encounter in April after deciding to take action over the persistent standing of their fans.

In confirming their neighbours would again receive just over 2,500 tickets, City officials are stressing it is a club policy that has been used against other clubs, including Liverpool and Newcastle already this season, and not specifically United.

United have had similar issues in the past and had allocations cut at Middlesbrough in recent seasons, plus Sunderland and Bolton this term.