Glazer to back Man Utd boss Ferguson to get Essien

American billionaire Malcolm Glazer is expected to seek to win Manchester United fans over by making a major blow against rivals Chelsea in the summer market.

Glazer knows Chelsea are locked in talks with Olympique Lyon for midfield ace Mickael Essien and would love to bring the Ghanaian to Old Trafford to show supporters he is serious about bringing success to the club.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has been tracking Essien for much of the season and knows he'd favour a move to Old Trafford over Stamford Bridge. But until Glazer's takeover, Fergie didn't have the funds to match Chelsea in the bidding for the African.

Lyon are asking ?18 million for Essien and Glazer is ready to back Fergie's ambition to bring a youngster, many see as Roy Keane's potential successor, to United over the summer.