United Prepare Summer Swoop for Spanish Club's English Defender - Report

Manchester United are considering a summer approach for Atlético Madrid youngster Elliot Kebbie. The Mirror believes the 18-year-old defender, who started his playing career at Leeds United's academy, is a target for the Old Trafford side, who have been monitoring him for some time now.

Sir Alex Ferguson was quoted a £1m price tag two years earlier and that is likely to be a higher figure now, particularly since Kebbie has developed into a versatile defensive option, capable of playing at centre-back, right-back and in midfield.

Should the teen move to Manchester, it is likely Mexican striker Javier Hernandez will move to the Vicente Calderon, as part of the deal. The 24-year-old forward is understood to be frustrated at the lack of first team opportunities with United and has attracted interest from both Atlético and their cross-town rivals Real Madrid.

The deal could be a lucrative one for Atlético, given they are likely to lose striker Radamel Falcao to the Premier League in the summer; the free-scoring Colombian international was linked with a £46m move to Chelsea.

Ferguson Backs United Midfielder for England Success

Meanwhile, Ferguson has backed midfielder Michael Carrick to replicate his club form for England. The Scot believes the 31-year-old Carrick, whose impressive performances earned him a nomination for the PFA Player of the Year and a place in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year, could finally be ready to show his true worth on the international stage.

"This season he has been phenomenal. It depends on what the England manager does with our players and everyone is different," Ferguson said.

"Michael's had opposition from Lampard and Gerrard for most of that time and they were always the favoured ones. The England manager kept playing them in the same team, sometimes out wide to make sure they were accommodated. So I think it's been difficult to install himself as a regular player all the time," the Scot added.