Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish is eyeing Manchester United striker Kiko Macheda.
The People says Sir Alex Ferguson, Big Eck's former boss at Aberdeen, was a major supporter of his fellow Scot's move to Villa from Birmingham - and that friendship could help McLeish land United striker Macheda.
McLeish needs to replace Ashley Young, John Carew and Nigel Reo-Coker with Old Trafford striker Macheda a possibility.
The youngster spent last season on-loan at Sampdoria.