London - Manchester United have asked Scottish side Motherwell about signing veteran goalkeeper Andy Goram on loan as a possible stopgap replacement for the injured Fabien Barthez.
Goram, 36, is wanted because both Barthez and No 2 Raimond van der Gouw are out injured with an important Champions League encounter with Germany's Bayern Munich coming up next month.
Motherwell director of football Pat Nevin confirmed the approach on Wednesday by United for the former Scottish international, according to a report by the British Broadcasting Corporation.
He said the two clubs were still discussing a possible deal.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was meanwhile reported to be "hopeful" that Barthez would recover from injury in time for the quarterfinal first leg against Bayern.
The French international injured a thigh warming up before the Premier League game against Leicester on Saturday.
Football's governing body in Europe, Uefa, says it will give United special permission to field any new goalkeeper signing in the Champions League.
United's only current option is American-born youngster Paul Rachubka, who made an emergency league debut against Leicester on Saturday.
But Ferguson said he was still hopeful that the results of a scan on Barthez will prove positive.
"Fabien is having another scan and then I'll talk to him when we've got the results," said Ferguson.
"I am still hopeful Fabien will be okay for the Bayern Munich match."
British press reports had also linked United with Blackburn 'keeper Alan Kelly on a loan move. The 34-year-old Ireland international is currently second choice to American Brad Friedel at Ewood Park. However, Rovers officials said there had been no inquiry from Old Trafford.
In Spain, the Madrid sports newspaper Marca reported that Real Madrid were willing to lend United the 33-year-old former German international 'keeper Bodo Illgner.
Illgner is only the third choice at Real and has not played for the first team this season. But the report said there had been no approach by United. - Sapa-DPA