Man Utd decide on Everton defender Rodwell as ideal signing

Manchester United are expected to push for Everton youngster Jack Rodwell over the next six months.

The Times says Rodwell is being lined up at United as a replacement for Nemanja Vidic, who is likely to move to Spain at the end of the season.

Rodwell, the Everton utility player, has been identified by United as a star of the future. Rodwell, 18, is being used primarily as a holding midfield player, but some view him as a central defender in the longer term.

Everton, though, will fight tooth and nail to keep the player, who signed a new five-year contract only in February and is not thought to be in any rush to leave Goodison Park.