People.co.uk - Jack of all trades fits Fergie bill
Manchester United are targeting Everton and England Under-21 star Jack Rodwell.
United scouts have kept a close eye on Rodwell, and boss Sir Alex Ferguson has received glowing reports about the versatile 18-yearold, who is on duty with Stuart Pearce's squad at the European U21 Championship in Sweden.
With FIFA keen to pursue the '6+5 rule' - at the start of each league match, clubs must field at least six players eligible to represent the national team of the country in which the league is based - Fergie wants to maintain a core of English players at Old Trafford.
Sensing Rodwell's huge potential, Everton moved quickly to upgrade his contract and the teenager recently signed a five-year deal.
That will not deter Ferguson - just as it didn't put him off clinching a £27million deal to capture Wayne Rooney from Goodison five years ago.
And with cash-strapped Everton still vulnerable to attractive offers for their stars, the Southport-born youngster has emerged as a serious United target.
But Goodison boss David Moyes is determined to keep Rodwell, whose ability to play an attacking or defensive midfield role, in addition to operating as an emergency centre-back, puts his value to Everton at £9m.
Rodwell made his debut for Everton's reserve team at the age of 15 and on his senior debut became the youngest player to represent the club in Europe when he came on as a substitute against AZ Alkmaar at 16 years and 284 days.
He has continued to make rapid progress and in March was called up to the England U21 squad.
Manchester United are targeting Everton and England Under-21 star Jack Rodwell.
United scouts have kept a close eye on Rodwell, and boss Sir Alex Ferguson has received glowing reports about the versatile 18-yearold, who is on duty with Stuart Pearce's squad at the European U21 Championship in Sweden.
With FIFA keen to pursue the '6+5 rule' - at the start of each league match, clubs must field at least six players eligible to represent the national team of the country in which the league is based - Fergie wants to maintain a core of English players at Old Trafford.
Sensing Rodwell's huge potential, Everton moved quickly to upgrade his contract and the teenager recently signed a five-year deal.
That will not deter Ferguson - just as it didn't put him off clinching a £27million deal to capture Wayne Rooney from Goodison five years ago.
And with cash-strapped Everton still vulnerable to attractive offers for their stars, the Southport-born youngster has emerged as a serious United target.
But Goodison boss David Moyes is determined to keep Rodwell, whose ability to play an attacking or defensive midfield role, in addition to operating as an emergency centre-back, puts his value to Everton at £9m.
Rodwell made his debut for Everton's reserve team at the age of 15 and on his senior debut became the youngest player to represent the club in Europe when he came on as a substitute against AZ Alkmaar at 16 years and 284 days.
He has continued to make rapid progress and in March was called up to the England U21 squad.
