David James zu Man Utd?

David James a potential January transfer target for Manchester United

Portsmouth and England goalkeeper David James could become a surprise target for Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson in the January transfer window.

According to the Express, Ferguson will spend the next two months monitoring Ben Foster's form as well as assessing how well Edwin van der Sar fares as he prepares to make his return to action against Bolton this weekend after a two-month lay-off.

Foster has been subjected to a significant degree of criticism following a series of blunders for club and country this season, prompting speculation that Ferguson is looking to bring a goalkeeper of James' calibre in.

At 39-year-old the England No 1 is unlikely to cost more than £1 million, but any decision from Old Trafford may well depend on whether 38-year-old Van der Sar is willing to renew his contract - an announcement the Dutchman has said he will make in December.

Portsmouth fought to hold on to their goalkeeper this summer as financial problems forced them to sell key players, but with James eligible to play in the Champions League, not to mention for one of the world's top clubs, the Fratton Park contingent may be faced with no choice but to sell.

James' decision may also be driven by his ambition to be named Fabio Capello's No 1 choice in goal ahead of next summer's World Cup finals with six Premier League and Championship goalkeepers vying for three places.

If reports at the end of last week are to be believed, United will face competition from James' former manager and now leader at Tottenham Harry Redknapp, who since his departure from Portsmouth 12 months ago has resigned several of his former players.