Fergie's plan is for the Everton defender-cum- midfielder to
join next summer's recruit Chris Smalling in the United back line
in years to come.
The United boss pipped Arsenal in the hunt for Fulham starlet
Smalling, 20.
Now he wants to get the ball rolling on a summer deal for
19-year-old Rodwell.
United value their man at £12million and with relations between
Everton and the Reds still frosty over Wayne Rooney's 2005 switch,
Ferguson is determined to get talks under way early and
amicably.
The manager is doing everything he can to maintain his tried and
trusted partnership of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic and, despite
injury worries and rumours of unrest, is confident of them being in
place for seasons to come.
But he sees a Smalling- Rodwell partnership as their long-term
successors.
Fergie believes there will be more than enough domestic Cup ties
to keep the players occupied while they learn their trade at
United.
The Scot speaks very highly of Rodwell and believes his
potential young centre-back pairing could feature regularly
together for both club, and maybe even country, if their
progression continues at a steady rate.
However, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger also wants Rodwell. And he
will be even more determined to get him after Smalling slipped
through his grasp.
