United To Land Hutton

Rangers fans will be unhappy but rumour has it that Alan Hutton will move south in either January or next summer.

The 22-year-old Scottish right-back signed a new five-year deal this summer so would probably cost a little fortune prise him away from Ibrox but anyone who was watching him play for Scotland during the Euro 2008 qualifiers, especially against Italy on Saturday, will agree he's worth a few quids.

Reports suggest that Newcastle and Manchester United battle for him - and they add that the Reds are looking very much like winning this battle. It is believed that Fergie is considering him the ideal replacement for ever-injured Gary Neville and the currently impressive Wes Brown who's only 28 but hardly a world beater.

Now, Hutton at 22 would be a great prospect I think. Rangers will be very reluctant to allow him join an English team (his admirers say that he's flourishing for Rangers in the Champions League, something I can't confirm as they are playing on the same day as United), every player has his price.

Of course, such a move would virtually end Danny Simpson's United career that looked promising so far... but I'm sure that if Fergie really wants Hutton, he will assess him and Simpson and Brown before making any decision. But I would not be sad if the Scottish defender joined us: he deeply impressed me against Italy on Saturday.