Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is determined to win the battle for Tottenham playmaker Luka Modric. The Daily Star says United are currently firm favourites to land the Croatian ahead of Chelsea and Manchester City.

Fergie has been a huge fan of the Spurs star, 26, for some time and views him as the answer to his search for a long-term successor to Paul Scholes.

Ferguson has made the £40m-rated Tottenham playmaker his top summer transfer target.