Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is planning a bid for Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder.

The Sunday Express says Sneijder will face a three-way battle for his talents as a playmaker once Holland's World Cup adventure is over.

While new Inter Milan boss Rafa Benitez is desperate to keep the 26-year-old at the San Siro, his former manager Jose Mourinho wants him at Real Madrid and Ferguson believes the Dutchman can light up Old Trafford.

Mourinho is known to be an admirer of Sneijder, but the Manchester United interest in a player valued at £25million has only just started to leak out over here in South Africa.