Manchester United are understood to have made an enquiry for England star Owen Hargreaves.

Leading German daily newspaper Kicker has reported that Sir Alex Ferguson made contact with Bayern before their 5-1 hammering of Maccabi Tel Aviv in midweek – a game which saw Hargreaves stretchered off after half an hour following a clash of heads.

The Bayern Munich midfielder has never hidden his desire to play in The Premiership.

Tottenham and Middlesbrough are the only sides to have shown a real interest and that has seemingly not been enough to persuade Hargreaves to give up regular UEFA Champions League football in Munich.

The interest from United could test both Bayern and Hargreaves’ resolve though.

The 23-year-old’s all-action combative style would no doubt see him fit into the English game with ease.

United – who despite having youngsters Darren Fletcher, Liam Miller and Cristiano Ronaldo in their midfield – are concerned there are no ready-made replacements in their squad for the likes of Paul Scholes and, more importantly, captain Roy Keane.

Hargreaves is contracted to Bayern until 2006 and has overcome problems with coach Felix Magath to become a first team regular.

Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen has turned down the club’s initial offer of an improved contract.

Talks with the 29-year-old Finn, whose current deal has two-and-a-half years left on it, are not expected to resume until the end of the season.

His agent Peter Harrison said: “Jussi is very happy at Bolton but we are looking for the kind of deal that a goalkeeper of his class would expect.

Jaaskelainen has been at Wanderers for seven years and Harrison says he deserves some reward for helping establish the club in the top flight.

“We are not holding the club to ransom or anything crazy, we are just looking for a deal that is acceptable.”

The Scottish Football Association has rejected Celtic’s appeal against Alan Thompson’s red card at Ibrox.

He was dismissed for an alleged head-butt on Peter Lovenkrands and will be banned for Sunday’s visit to Dundee.

Thompson, capped by England for the first time in March against Sweden, will also have 12 penalty points added to his disciplinary record.

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill expressed disappointment that the decision had not been overturned.

“I was surprised that the review panel stayed with decision to say that Alan Thompson was guilty of violent conduct,” said O’Neill.

“I didn’t see it that way and I would think there would be a few people who would agree with that. I think everyone saw it.

“But the review panel have made their decision and obviously we’ll have to get on with it. It’s gone.”

Celtic were aggrieved at the way Lovenkrands fell to the floor clutching his face.

The controversy at Ibrox did not end with Thompson’s dismissal.

A disciplinary committee will review incidents involving Rangers’ Nacho Novo and Celtic’s Henri Camara from the same stormy Old Firm derby.

On-loan Wolves forward Camara was caught on camera appearing to kick out at Vignal while both players were on the floor.

Novo also appeared to stamp on Celtic substitute Stephen Pearson during the game.

The pair will answer cases of serious misconduct when the committee meets on 14 December.

The SFA has ordered Rangers defender Bob Malcolm to explain his reaction after his side won a first-half penalty.

O’Neill also claims midfielder Neil Lennon was subjected to verbal abuse of a “racial and sectarian manner” throughout the match.