Manchester United still chasing midfielder Hargreaves

LONDON, Jan 20 (Reuters) Manchester United have stepped up their efforts to sign Bayern Munich's Owen Hargreaves by making a sizeable bid for the England midfielder.

''It's official today that Manchester United have made an offer for me,'' Hargreaves told the BBC yesterday. ''For a club like Man Utd to make an offer is something I appreciate.'' Hargreaves, who has been out of action since September with a broken leg, is a long-time transfer target of United manager Alex Ferguson.

Germany's Bild newspaper reported that United had bid 20 million pounds (.47 million) for the 25-year-old but Bayern have repeatedly said he would not move in January.

Bayern have already lost former Germany midfielder Sebastian Deisler who announced this week that he was retiring at the age of 27 because of a persistent knee injury.

REUTERS PM KP0948