Will Ballack play ball with Man U?

His arrival would signal the end of Roy Keane’s career at Old Trafford.

United believe they have a gentleman’s agreement in place with Ballack, who has 57 international caps plus 61 goals in 206 bundesliga matches. It is a calculated gamble on United’s part that leaves them vulnerable to Bayern trying to persuade Ballack to sign a new contract.

The midfielder, who will be 29 in September, is so highly regarded at the Olympiastadion it is inconceivable that Bayern’s management will not make a concerted attempt to keep him at the club.

Alternatively, several of Europe’s other leading clubs may attempt to outbid United in the five months before an official announcement can be made.

Ballack turned down Real Madrid to join Bayern from Bayer Leverkusen in 2002.

Although ballack is described as having made up his mind, he has not signed a contract or made any legal agreements that cannot be broken.

Ferguson, however, believes it is a risk worth taking, not least because it frees up money to be spent elsewhere on the team. So far this summer United have signed the Holland international goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar from Fulham, the South Korea international winger Park Ji-Sung from PSV Eindhoven and a reserve goalkeeper, Ben Foster. There also remains the distinct possibility they could add Michael Owen.

Has not agreed: Agent

BERLIN: Germany captain Michael Ballack has not agreed to join Manchester United and is still weighing his options, his agent told German Sports agency SID on Tuesday. Ballack’s agent, Michael Becker, told SID that United had made an inquiry through an intermediary but that he himself had not talked with United about Ballack and therefore not discussed any possible move.

“Michael Ballack is facing the most important decision of his career. Why would he prematurely sign in England if we haven’t even spoken with the Italians and Spanish?” Bayern Munich declined to comment on the report. The club are encouraging Ballack to sign an extension to his contract which runs until July 2006.