Man Utd to battle Real for Lucas

Manchester United and Real Madrid are locked in a battle to sign Brazil's next superstar Lucas Moura, according to the Daily Mirror. Sao Paulo's attacking midfielder Lucas rated at £12 million is set to spark a bidding war this summer between the two European giants. United have invited the 19-year-old's father to Old Trafford for talks and want to agree a move for the kid who is rated the next best thing to Neymar in his homeland, the report added. Sir Alex Ferguson wants to buy the teenage sensation who has been capped 11 times by his country before his price gets higher. With United homing in on a 20th Premier League title, Ferguson hopes to lure him with the promise of regular first team football. However, Old Trafford are likely to face fierce competition from Madrid who are already in talks with the Lucas camp. Lucas, described as a small but super-skilled midfielder, has been sought after by all top clubs since making his debut 18 months ago. He has made 70 senior appearances already for Sao Paulo. Former England striker Michael Owen thinks he could still feature for Premier League title-chasers Manchester United before the end of the season, despite being sidelined by a string of injuries. The 32-year-old has not featured since November 2 due to a thigh problem but is now back in full training. With just three games of the league season left, Owen accepts he is unlikely to start but is keen to be involved from the bench. Reigning champions United lead Manchester City by three points at the top of the table before a potentially vital derby at Eastlands on Monday. "I can't imagine myself getting back and starting in the 11," Owen told MUTV, United's own television station, on Wednesday."My mindset has got to be get myself ready mentally, physically and everything else because I might be needed for 10 or 20 minutes at a late stage of the season. "Who knows? It could be the last game of the season at Sunderland. "I might have built up enough, whether playing in a reserves game or two, and then that's fine. "But I think the immediate thing is to get myself mentally ready, just in case the manager says, 'I'll put you on the bench' or whatever and I'll come on for 15 minutes and try to nick a goal if we're struggling." Owen's only league appearance this season was in a draw at Stoke in September but he has scored three goals in two League Cup matches.