Rossi wants first team action

Manchester United striker Giuseppe Rossi has admitted that he may have to move away from Old Trafford to gain valuable first team action.

With Ruud van Nistelrooy forced to start recent games on the bench in favour of Louis Saha and Wayne Rooney, Rossi is aware that he may need to move elsewhere, albeit temporarily, in order to maintain his development.

"I want to gain experience," said the 19-year-old, who has scored 26 goals for the United reserves in this campaign.

"One way of doing it might be to go out on loan - in the Premiership, I hope.

"Nothing is going to happen this year, but I guess next season there might be talks about it."

Championship sides Preston and Ipswich were both keen to sign the youngster on loan before the Coca-Cola league transfer deadline, but it is likely that he will remain with The Red Devils until the end of the season.

The American-born Italian moved to Sir Alex Ferguson's side in August 2004 on a free transfer from Parma. With four goals in ten senior appearances this season, his manager has hailed him the most natural goalscorer to come through United ranks since Paul Scholes.

The young striker admits that a move to Old Trafford was an easy decision:

"Once I knew United were after me, there was no other decision to make," said Rossi.

Ferguson sees Rossi as the future of the club, but a loan move next season may well be on the cards.