By Chris O'Brien
August 12 2004

United have been linked with a move for Aston Villa forward Darius Vassell. Reports suggest the England international is seen as an ideal signing by Sir Alex Ferguson to solve the clubs injury crisis ahead of the new Premiership season, with Van Nistelrooy, Saha and Solskjaer all sidelined.

Manchester United have been linked with a move for Aston Villa striker Darius Vassell. Reports in the Midlands suggest that David O'Leary would be prepared to offload the England international as he steps up his chase for Southampton hit-man James Beattie ahead of the new Premiership season which kicks-off on Saturday.

An injury crisis has left the Red Devils short in the striking department ahead of the new season, with Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Louis Saha missing opening games and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer likely to miss the entire campaign. Alan Smith is expected to be called upon by the United boss, but he would rather bring in a new striker to partner Smith than rely on off-form Uruguayan Diego Forlan for goals as United look to get their Premiership challenge off to a flying start.

Villa are thought to have hung a £8million price tag on Vassell's head, and are willing to part with the forward as it would boost club finances to bring in new blood as the club look to challenge towards the top of the Premiership. With Juan Pablo Angel already at the club, Vassell could find himself surplus to requirements if Beattie was to leave the St. Mary's for Villa Park, and would surely jump at the chance to move to Manchester United.

Vassell is a quality striker, but has lacked consistency to perhaps fulfil his full potential. He has 6 international goals to his name, with 21 England caps in his collection, and has scored a career tally of 42 goals as a Villain. The link will surprise many people, but could be a good acquisition for United especially with the current situation of injuries to attacking players at the club.