Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has made signing Chelsea defender Ashley Cole his top priority if talks between the England international and the Blues over a new contract end without any conclusion.
Ferguson's interest in Cole will add another dimension to United's trip to Stamford Bridge for Sunday's Premier League clash.
According to the Daily Mail, Ferguson is a huge admirer of Cole and has reminded his coaching staff that he is one of the few players in world football to have got the upper hand over Cristiano Ronaldo.
During Ronaldo's time at Old Trafford, Cole would show him an imaginary pocket during matches to demonstrate his influence over the Portugal winger, the paper added.
Out of contract at the end of the season, Cole is also best friends with United striker Wayne Rooney, it said.
The defender has only been offered a one-year extension by Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay that fits in with the west London club's new policy of offering only season-by-season deals to players over 30, the paper further added.
Ferguson is shocked that Cole, widely regarded as the best left back on the planet for a number of seasons, has been allowed to run down his contract, the paper further reported. (ANI)
