United eye duo

Manchester United are said to be ready to invest in youth when the January transfer window opens.

While Ferguson is considering many options on the transfer front - he is reportedly ready to splash the cash on two of English football's brightest prospects in the shape of Steven Davis and Greg Halford.

Davis has been nothing but impressive since making his Aston Villa debut last year - and he has now made just short of 50 Premiership appearances.

The 20-year-old only signed a new contract in March, but that was for only three years and is unlikely to deter any interested party - one of which is understood to be United.

Ferguson has just lost former captain Roy Keane and with Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs coming towards the end of their careers - new blood in the midfield is needed.

With that in mind Ferguson is understood to have been sufficiently impressed by Davis as to make discreet enquiries about the Northern Ireland star - and the reports suggest that a bid could be imminent.

Along with Davis, it is believed that Colchester's England youth star Greg Halford has also impressed Ferguson's scouting network.

Halford is equally at home in defence, midfield or attack, and is known to be interesting a host of clubs.

Colchester know that Halford is much in demand and a bid of near £1 million would likely be enough to secure the 20-year-old's signature.