Manchester United to fight Liverpool for Lucas Rodrigues

HOT ROD ... Lucas has impressed

MANCHESTER UNITED and Liverpool are ready to slug it out for £20million Brazilian wonderboy Lucas Rodrigues.

United, desperate to find an adequate replacement for Paul Scholes, have run the rule over the 19-year-old Sao Paulo midfielder.

The Kop giants have also had him watched.

Lucas, voted star man in the South American Under-20 Championships, is one of the most wanted rookies in the world.

He has a contract until 2016 but Liverpool could test the water by slapping in a bid in the New Year.

They face serious competition from United and Italian giants Juventus and Inter Milan.

Meanwhile, Liverpool's Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez insists he will be ready for Sunday's Premier League trip to Chelsea.

Suarez scored four goals in the World Cup qualifying win over Chile but was forced to limp out with a back injury.