Doni linked with Old Trafford transfer

United have long been linked with a move for a new shot-stopper, with Edwin van der Sar, who has been absent recently after his wife was taken ill, widely expected to hang up his gloves at the end of the current campaign.

And with continued doubts over both Tomasz Kuszczak and Ben Foster's abilities to hold down the No.1 jersey at Old Trafford, manager Sir Alex Ferguson is thought to have set his sights on a long-term replacement.

According to Italian newspaper Il Tempo, 30-year-old Brazilian Doni is heading for the exit door at the Stadio Olimpico, having made just four appearances in Serie A for the Giallorossi this season after falling behind fellow countryman Artur in the pecking order.

The newspaper claims that Roma are keen to slash their wage bill, with the experienced Doni, one of the highest earners in the Italian capital, potentially set for a switch to the Red Devils as a result.

Doni – capped 11 times by Brazil – joins a long list of goalkeepers rumoured to be on their way to Old Trafford, which includes Hugo Lloris from Lyon, CSKA Moscow's Igor Akinfeev and Juventus custodian Gianluigi Buffon.