United keep an eye on Milner

Manchester United are monitoring James Milner's contract negotiations at Aston Villa as Sir Alex Ferguson prepares to reshape his Old Trafford squad this summer.

Ferguson, who has already invested almost £20 million in new faces for next season by completing deals for Fulham defender Chris Smalling and Mexican forward Javier Hernandez, is understood to have a transfer fund of £80 million at his disposal for squad strengthening, despite the club's £716.5 million debt.

And Villa midfielder Milner has emerged as a target under consideration at Old Trafford following his impressive campaign at Villa Park, which has seen him consolidate a place in Fabio Capello's England squad and earn a nomination for the PFA Young Player of the Year award.

The 24 year-old is expected to open contract talks at Villa at the end of the season to replace the final two years of his deal with a £65,000-a-week four-year package.

Ferguson remains determined to add a new goalkeeper and forward to his squad - with France No 1 Hugo Lloris and Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema top targets - before addressing his midfield options; hence the club's intention to remain abreast of Milner's situation at Villa.

The United manager has been impressed by Milner's maturity this season and his ability to perform in a variety of positions for club and country.

With Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes entering the twilight of their careers, Brazilian midfielder Anderson sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury, the failure of Owen Hargreaves to return to senior action and Michael Carrick's inability to command a regular starting place, Ferguson is mindful of potential problems ahead in midfield.

But with greater priorities to address, the Scot is prepared to play a waiting game with Milner and move if the opportunity arises later in the summer.

Source: Telegraph
Date Published: 18 April 2010

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Have your say on United keep an eye on Milner in the United Online forum

Please not Agbonlahor. Twisty faced little runt, always looks like a 4 year old having a strop, can't abide him!

- Jonesy

Not a great fan. He's decent but limited, and his years grafting at midtable clubs shows that. I'm sure he'd bring some energy to the midfield and chip in with a few goals, but he doesnt really strike me as United quality. I can't really offer any alternative, but if we're spending 20m+, i'd prefer someone with a bit more class.

- twoc2002

i really don't rate him, he is pretty ordinary. he just does the simple things well.

- Shaun

Would be very happy if we signed Milner. Leeds scum he may be but I think he would deliver the goods at OT. Although if we're raiding Villa's squad, I would actually be more interested in signing Agbonlahor as someone who has proven capable of playing on his own up front in a 4-5-1, and would very much fit into our style of play.

- fenwar

I def would not say ' he is not not good enough' but my worry is that he would be a Carrick- someone that plays well but does not stand out or shine when others are not shining.

- Oli

Definitely a good signing if we did sign him. Maybe he's not top quality yet but look how the likes of Keane and Robson turned out once they signed for us. I'd probably compare him more to a Lampard type player at West Ham who showed potential but didn't really fulfill it till he moved to a top side.

- Dave

He'd be a quality signing if he was available for around 20million that would be a very good investment considering he's only 24, whether we'd be able to pay that money for him or not is another thing. He has been in impressive in the centre of midfield this season and he can do just as good of a job playing out wide as well. I'd love to see him at United next season.

- Munsterman

Wonderful player, but we'd be looking at £20m plus. Totally disagree that he's not United quality, he would fit the bill very nicely for me.

- Jonesy

No thanks, good player but not United quality.

- Shaun

So after 10 days that has probally seen us throw away any chance of glory this season I was thinking about next season and the 1 name i kept coming back to is James Milner. He would be a great addition to centre mid. He would thrive here with his ability to score and create but his energy and work horse style would go down brilliantly at OT. He would give us so much drive and energy in the middle that we have lacked this season. Obviously his price would be inflated as an England player and our transfer funds are a complete unknown but if we want to move foward then a signing like this is surely needed. I cant see Villa/Lerner turning down a good bid. What do you lot think of him? Realstic target? Out of our price range?

- birchy