Manchester City set to pursue shock double swoop for United wonderkids Paul Pogba & Ravel Morrison

City have identified the youthful midfield pair, who are both out of contract in the summer, as potential signings and possibly even as early as this month.

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Goal.com understands that discreet enquiries have been made by City about the interest of Pogba and Morrison in making the short journey across Manchester in deals that would antagonise bitter rivals United.

Pogba, who turns 19 next month, is believed to be frustrated at his failure to make the breakthrough at Old Trafford and is willing to explore all his options as the prospect of a transfer grows increasingly likely.

Morrison’s growing list of disciplinary problems, court appearances and absences from training have left United exasperated. Newcastle United had a £1 million offer rejected for the 18-year-old last week but their interest is believed to have cooled and City are now ready to join the race for the troubled United youngster.

United are in relatively weak positions with both players. As revealed by Goal.com earlier this month, Pogba has “stunning” offers from AC Milan and Inter already on the table and is free this month to discuss personal terms with clubs outside the English leagues with a view to a free transfer in the summer.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson claims the club have a unilateral option to extend the 18-year-old’s contract for a further year, but this has been disputed by sources close to Pogba as the youngster explores all of his options. Should Pogba move abroad, United would not receive a transfer fee, although they would be due a nominal sum to cover ‘training compensation’ under Fifa rules. A move within England would require a fee to be set by an independent tribunal. 

Troubled | Morrison is highly regarded by Sir Alex but has disciplinary issues

The France Under-19 international joined United from Le Havre in 2009 and, although he has been restricted to three appearances this season in the League Cup, he has been earmarked for a more senior role next season.

United are desperate to convince Pogba that his future is best served at Old Trafford and Sir Alex is trying to persuade the player to turn his back on the vast sums being offered in favour of concentrating on his career development.

“He's got an agent who's obviously become a bit difficult but we're negotiating with this agent and we want the boy to stay,” said Ferguson last month. “But it's down to the individual also.

"Matt Busby summed it up perfectly, that you don't need to chase money at a club like Manchester United, it will eventually find you. If you're good enough, you will earn money and become rich playing for us, there's no doubt about it.

Morrison has made two League Cup appearances for United this season, and three in total, but his Old Trafford career has stalled because of his well publicised off-the-field troubles.

Sir Alex claimed last week that the youngster had priced himself out of a new contract and that his agent was working to find him a new club. Morrison responded by going on Twitter to claim: “I have never 1s [once] turned down a contract off Manchester United.”

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