Manchester United are battling Liverpool for want-away Napoli star Ezequiel Lavezzi. The striker, who is under contract at the Serie A side until 2012, insisted on Monday he wants to remain at Napoli despite reported interest from Liverpool.

However, the 24-year-old looks to have changed his mind amid reports of a falling out with sporting director Pierpaolo Marino.

"I'm writing this letter to the fans who have always been close to me," read Lavezzi's letter. "It's a difficult time and I hope that soon the situation will become clearer as much for you as for me.

"The only sure thing is that one day there won't be either Lavezzi or Marino but there will always be this great club and this immense city simply because Napoli does not belong to anyone, it represents the synthesis of the sentiment of their fans' dignity.

"Today I have to choose between dignity and a lack of respect, because of my loyalty to my upbringing without doubt I choose dignity."

Reports in Italy suggest Lavezzi's representatives met with Manchester United chiefs in Madrid with a view to a move to Old Trafford.