Manchester rivals United and City are set to scrap it out at the Etihad for the Premier League title on Monday and, if reports are to be believed, the two clubs could also be facing-off in the transfer market this summer.
The title contenders are both interested in three of Europe's top names, Edinson Cavani, Fernando Llorente and Eden Hazard, according to the Manchester Evening News.
This is the first time United's name has been linked with strikers Cavani and Llorente, though both would surely be welcome additions at Old Trafford.
Cavani has had another exceptional season at Napoli as he has firmly established himself as one of the top strikers in world soccer. With his stock so high, though, his club is likely to demand around £30 million ($48.5m) for his signature.
Athletic Bilbao's Llorente has been in similarly prolific form for his club, netting 28 times in all competitions and establishing himself for the Spanish national team. Theremust be a suspicion though that Llorente is just the latest part of a media obsession to link every player from Bilbao to United, following the Spanish outfit's brilliant win over the Premier League holders in the Europa League. Llorente follows Javi Martinez, Oscar de Marcos and Iker Munian in being talked of as a transfer target for the Red Devils.
At 27, Llorente also falls right on the cusp of United's transfer strategy of not spending heavily on players over that age.
It is conceivable that United will look to sign a top-class striker this summer. Javier Hernandez, perhaps largely through niggling injuries, has failed to recapture the form of his debut season last term, while Danny Welbeck has yet to prove he can be a consistent goal scorer at elite level.
If United were to sign a forward then they couldn't do much better than Cavani or Llorente, both of whom seem tailor-made for the Premier League.
As for Eden Hazard, this speculation is just the latest in what is sure to be one of the most enduring transfer sagas of the summer. United and City are two of several clubs to be linked with the highly-touted Lille attacking midfielder. Premier League rivals Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea are also said to be interested with Hazard seeming to favor a move to England.
The 21-year-old recently spoke of his pleasure at being watched by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson last month, according to Sky Sports.
"I am flattered by the compliment coming from the top manager in world football," Hazard told Sky Sports.
"I did not know he was at the game to be honest but no one knew he came to watch me because I was not aware.
"Manchester United are a very top team and anyone would listen to them."
The news follows Sir Alex Ferguson's confirmation that he is an admirer of the much-sought after Belgian.
"When I went to watch Lyon versus Lille, last time, of course I saw Hazard playing but also other players which is part of my job," he told French radio station RMC, according to Sky Sports. "I can confirm Hazard is a very good player, he has so many qualities, he is very fast over the first 10 meters."
If United fail to win the sure to be fierce battle for Hazard's signing, then Ferguson may turn his attentions to Brazilian youngster Lucas Moura, if reports in today's Daily Mirror prove to be true.
The 19-year-old Sao Paulo attacking midfielder is said to soon be the target of a £12 million ($19m) offer from United. Already a Brazil international, the highly-skilled Lucas has bags of potential, but whether he is ready for a big-money move to one of Europe's elite clubs remains to be seen.
