Manchester United Transfer News: Hazard Watched by Ferguson On French Scouting Mission

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was in France on Saturday night to take in the Ligue 1 contest between Lyon and Lille, with Belgian sensation Eden Hazard reportedly his main focus, according to Goal.com.

The Lille midfielder is currently one of the most talked-about players in Europe and it looks likely that he will be the center of intense transfer speculation for much of the coming summer.

Hazard has reportedly been subject of interest from London sides Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea, as well as Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Just last month Hazard's father confirmed there had been an inquiry from Tottenham and that he believed White Hart Lane would be an ideal destination for his son.

No deal has yet been finalized, however, and until something is in writing there are certain to be several clubs vying for the 21-year-old's signature.

When asked about Ferguson's position in the stands and the fact that the United boss was seen yawning after Lyon had taken a decisive 2-1 lead, Hazard reportedly told Orange TV I didn't know he was here. Maybe he's tired!

Hazard could well be seen by Ferguson as the man to bring an invaluable extra creative spark to a United team that often relies far too heavily on Wayne Rooney. It would be interesting to see how Hazard might be utilized at United, given that he generally occupies the left side of a front three for defending French champions Lille.

Ashley Young is the player currently occupying that position at United, though the England international has yet to fully convince that he can perform consistently at the top level, despite an impressive start to his United career.

Hazard could also potentially be used as a more central creative force to allow Rooney to focus more on work higher up the pitch.

After this season's abject failures in Europe, it is hard to envisage Ferguson not going out in the summer and investing in at least one or two prized players to return United to Europe's elite.