Campbell would ´love´ to play for Man Utd

Former England defender Sol Campbell said on Wednesday he would “love” to join Manchester United after a newspaper report linked him to a move to Old Trafford in January.

English champions United are in the midst of a defensive injury crisis with Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans and John O’Shea all sidelined.

Campbell, 35, who has played in the English Premier League for Tottenham, Arsenal and Portsmouth is a free agent after walking out just one game into a five-year contract with fourth-tier team Notts County in September after being brought to the club by former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.

The centre-back is now training with Arsenal in a bid to maintain his fitness and, according to a report in Wednesday’s Daily Mirror that won’t please Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, could be on his way to United when the transfer window opens on January 1.

“I have heard nothing officially from Manchester United, but there have been suggestions and of course, it would be a great move for me, if it happens,” Campbell told ESPN Soccernet on Wednesday.

“I shall just have to wait and see if a call comes through the right channels.

“Of course I would love to play for Manchester United, but I am not counting any chickens, just waiting to see what happens.

“I am training as usual at Arsenal, and would go to train at Manchester United if I was asked,” Campbell added.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has sprung a few surprises by bringing players to Old Trafford late in their careers, notably when signing France defender Laurent Blanc in 2001 and Swedish striker Henrik Larsson in 2007.

And before this season Ferguson signed Michael Owen when many thought the England striker, who turns 30 next week, had already played the best football of his injury-hit career.

However, Owen scored his first hat-trick for four years on Tuesday as United won 3-1 away to German side Wolfsburg in the Champions League.