Papers: City eye double raid on Manchester United

United fear a City raid

Manchester United are facing a fight to keep two of their brightest young stars out of the hands of rivals Manchester City. Teenagers Ravel Morrison and Paul Pogba, key figures in United’s FA Youth Cup-winning team last season, are both out of contract at the end of the season. And City are heading a queue of top clubs ready to pounce if one or both refuse to sign new deals and become free agents. United would be entitled to compensation for development costs because both players are under 24, but it would be a bitter blow to lose such talented youngsters – especially to their closest rivals. Sir Alex Ferguson wants to keep Morrison and Pogba, both 18, and has included them in his first-team squad and Carling Cup ties.


Elsewhere, The Daily Mail reckon Bayer Leverkusen have been in touch with Dimitar Berbatov in a bid to bring the in-form Bulgarian back to the Bundesliga.

Reports that started in Italy have spread to Sweden regarding Rasmus Elm after it was claimed that the AZ Alkmaar midfielder will join the Reds in June. The 23-year-old played it down to Sportbladet, saying: "It's flattering if the United rumour is true but I have not heard more about it. My agent takes care of that. It is clear that I will play out the season at AZ but no more decisions are taken than that from my side right now."

Finally, Wigan boss Roberto Martinez believes Tom Cleverley can return to from injury to provide a huge boost for the Reds. "Tom will be refreshed," he told The Daily Star. "And that could be the key for United. He's going to be fully fit and it's going to be like having a new signing. He can make a big impact on the title race."

-manchester United official website