ALEX FERGUSON will announce shortly that he does indeed now hope to use the small frame of Brazilian Juninho to fill the gaping void created in Manchester United's ranks by the retirement of Eric Cantona.
Ferguson's sense of surprise at Cantona's wholly unexpected decision is such that he has been understandably reluctant to enter the public debate about who is, or who is not, worthy of filling the departed Frenchman's boots. Ferguson can be expected to lodge, if not a formal bid, then his interest with Middlesbrough within the next 36 hours.
Whether Ferguson and his chairman, Martin Edwards, would be willing to become major players in any summer auction remains to be seen, but both men are acutely aware that Old Trafford has now lost its most celebrated entertainer.
Although more than half a dozen of Europe's and South America's leading clubs can be expected to show more than a passing interest in the 24 year old midfielder, United's main rivals for his signature will undoubtedly be Atletico Madrid.
Indeed, until Juninho boarded a plane for Brazil on Sunday, the Spanish club had been insisting he would definitely be spending the early part of this week in Madrid tieing up the loose ends of a transfer valued at anything between £8 million and £15 million.
Deeply distressed by the calamitous end to a season which had initially held so much promise Juninho himself seems strangely uncertain as to his next move. But the prospect of Champions' League football at Old Trafford next season would appear to appeal to him.
"It would be a great honour for me to replace Eric Cantona," he said. "I am really interested in staying in England and all this talk of Manchester United does excite me. They are the champions, the best team in the country and it would be wonderful to play for them."
Almost as if to thicken an already complex plot, Juninho is equally enthusiastic about the prospect of moving to Spain. "There would be no problems for me over there, because I can speak the language and there are many other Brazilian players at other Spanish clubs," he said.
On the basis that Cantona must be replaced this summer, Ferguson may decide to rekindle what is a longstanding interest in Fiorentina's Argentinian forward Gabriel Batistuta if Juninho slips through the net. Batistuta is expected to leave Fiorentina shortly and will command a fee well in excess of £10 million.
Speaking on a visit to Belfast yesterday, Ferguson said: "We had plans before Eric made his announcement and we will continue with those plans. We are going to try and add a couple of players, maybe even three now, to our squad."
He said it was important the club "got a grip of the situation" following Cantona's shock decision.
. Glenn Hoddle's successor as England coach could be named in the near future under new plans unveiled by English FA technical director Howard Wilkinson yesterday.
In his blueprint for the future of English football, Wilkinson suggests that the England coach should serve an apprenticeship before taking over the job on a full time basis. Prime candidates for the position could be assessed by Hoddle, early next year.
Wilkinson's report, called "a Charter for Quality" largely concerns itself with the development of youth football and young players in a structured national strategy.
