'What about that son?!' - Sir Alex impressed by Giuseppe Rossi as he trains with Man Utd

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has sought to clarify Giuseppe Rossi’s standing at Manchester United, with a former striker having been welcomed back to Old Trafford.

A product of the Red Devils’ famed academy system has got tongues wagging since returning to the club which provided him with a professional springboard.

Now 31 years of age, and having endured a wretched run of injury problems in recent years, the American-born Italy international finds himself in familiar surroundings.

It was initially suggested that Rossi may be about to join Solskjaer’s coaching staff, although those rumours were quickly laughed off by the diminutive frontman.

Further speculation hinted at a possible short-term playing deal for a man who is due a slice of luck after seeing his career severely hampered by fitness struggles.

Solskjaer has now moved to shed some light on the situation, with United’s interim boss eager to point out that he is merely offering Rossi an opportunity to work on his game while searching for a new club.

The Norwegian told reporters in the wake of a 1-0 victory for his side over Tottenham on Sunday: “We’re not going to sign Giuseppe I think, no, but he’s trained well with us.

“He looks sharp, he’s looking for a club so Giuseppe is probably going to stay with us for another week, unless someone takes him.”

While there are no plans on United’s part to bring Rossi back into their first-team fold, he has been catching the eye during his time at Carrington.

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Sir Alex Ferguson – the man who gave him his Red Devils debut – is back in a consultancy role alongside Solskjaer and the legendary Scot has been impressed by a player he knows well.

Solskjaer added of Rossi: “He scored a fantastic goal [Saturday] in training. The gaffer [Ferguson] turned around and said ‘what about that son?’

“It’s a bit of us helping him to get fit before his next move, so if there are any takers you should be quick!”

Rossi linked up with United as a 17-year-old and won the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award in his first season.

He was then named Denzil Haroun Reserve Team Player of the Year 12 months later.

A senior bow arrived in November 2004, during a League Cup clash with Crystal Palace, and he would record four goals in 14 competitive appearances.

Loan spells at Newcastle and Parma allowed him to see more regular football before a permanent switch was completed to Villarreal in 2007.

Rossi enjoyed the most productive spell of his career in Spain, netting 82 goals and earning international recognition with Italy.

It was, however, during that time that he suffered his first serious knee problem and those issues have followed him around ever since – from Fiorentina to Genoa via loan stints at Levante and Celta Vigo.