Manchester United to swoop for Valencia duo David Silva and David Villa

David Silva has his audition at the Theatre of Dreams tonight as Sir Alex Ferguson ponders a £25million swoop for the Valencia star.

Ferguson has been tracking Silva all summer and will be eager to see how the Spanish playmaker performs in the friendly against Manchester United.

Despite making tentative enquiries about Silva, United have yet to make an official bid. The Reds have moved ahead of long-term admirers Liverpool after Rafa Benitez accused Valencia of making public their negotiations.

Unlike Liverpool, Fergie also has the cash to capture Silva with £80million from Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer to Real Madrid sitting in the club's bank account.

Valencia would find it hard to refuse a £25m offer for Silva because of their huge debts, although they are adamant that £40m-rated David Villa is not for sale.

READ OUR PROFILE ON DAVID VILLA HERE

Club president Manuel Lorente insists Villa will not be leaving the Mestalla, saying: "The club is not interested in selling this player. We have not received any formal offers and it is not in our plans to consider David Villa's exit."

Regardless of the outcome of Fergie's pursuit of Silva, Michael Carrick feels Michael Owen and Antonio Valencia have already plugged the gap left by Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez. The Geordie was impressed by the new boys during United's Asia tour and the Audi Cup in Munich.

Owen has bagged four goals from five games, while Valencia netted on his debut in the win over Boca Juniors in Bavaria.

"Michael's already done really well," said Carrick.

"He's a top player and I'm sure he'll score lots of goals for us.

"Antonio joined us a little later for training so I've only seen a bit of him so far, but he's already shown what great qualities he has."

Carrick, 28, claims the clash with Valencia is precisely what United need now as they prepare for the big kick-off against Birmingham at home on Sunday week.

"Valencia are a top side," he said. "This will allow us to gauge where we're at and look at the things that need tweaking or working on ." Despite Carrick's optimism, United's pre-season plans have suffered a blow with the news that keeper Edwin Van der Sar will be out for two months with a broken hand.

The Dutchman had surgery yesterday after breaking two bones saving a penalty in the defeat to Bayern Munich in the Audi Cup last Thursday.

David Silva

Born: Jan 8 1986 CLUBS: Valencia 89 games, 13 goals. All comps: 118 games, 21 goals. Eibar (loan) 35 games, 5goals, Celta Vigo (loan) 34 4 goals. 26 games, 3 goals. seven-year contract June 2007.

David Villa

Born: Dec 3 1981 CLUBS: Sp Gijon 80 games, 38 goals, Zaragoza 73 games, 31 goals, Valencia 134 games, 86 goals.

All Comps: 167 games, 101 goals SPAIN: 49 games, 31 goals. Top scorer at Euro 2008 with four goals.

Valencia issue Villa warning to Manchester United and Liverpool

Liverpool and Manchester United will have to break the bank to prise David Villa away from Valencia, after boss Unai Emery described the Spain striker as “priceless”.

Villa’s future at Valencia had been in doubt with reports that his club may be forced to cash in on their prized asset due to financial difficulties.

Rafa Benitez is believed to be keen on using money gained from the expected sale of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid to link Villa up with his Spanish international colleague, Fernando Torres.

United are also monitoring the situation and though Sir Alex Ferguson stated that his summer spending is over, with £80million burning a hole in his pocket after Madrid swooped for Cristiano Ronaldo, he would surely open up his chequebook if Villa was to become available.

However, Emery has claimed that Valencia don’t need to sell and reiterated that Villa is committed to staying put.

Emery said: “Valencia want to keep David, but he also wants to stay with us. We don't want to sell him because he is priceless. Barcelona and Real Madrid have already shown an interest in him but David decided to come back to us.

“That was an unbelievable feeling for the club and we don't believe he will change (for Liverpool or Manchester United).”

Meanwhile, Manchester City are set to complete their move for Joleon Lescott.

The Everton defender is expected to hand in a transfer request in a bid to prompt a £20m switch to Eastlands.

City have already had two bids turned down by the Merseyside club.

But it is understood that Lescott is in the process of formally writing to Everton chairman Bill Kenwright to make it clear that he wants to leave, even if it means waiving his rights to a pay-off.

Manchester United and Liverpool fight over Valencia star Villa

Manchester United and Liverpool are poised to go to war over Valencia hotshot David Villa.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is determined to snap up Villa once Xabi Alonso completes his move to Real Madrid but he faces stiff competition from his fierce rival, Sir Alex Ferguson.

The United boss, despite claiming his summer spending was over, has realised the club would be short of attacking options should Michael Owen’s injury curse stike again.

United officials will discusss a possible deal for Villa when they meet their Valencia couterparts before Wednesday's glamour friendly at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils would have to pay £25 million to land the Spainish star who can play in midfield or up front.

The 27-year-old had hoped to continue his career in Spain but moves to Real Madrid and Barcelona collapsed.

David Silva is another Valencia star attracting the interest of Ferguson.

Alonso is expected to complete his deal with Real today for £30million and Benitez would love to pair Villa with his compatriot Fernando Torres.

If Villa evades the club, Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani is also on Benitez's radar.

Liverpool were in action in a pre-season friendly last night, but they crashed 3-0 to Espanyol in a game celebrating the Spanish club’s new home, Estadi Cornella-El Prat.

Real Madrid target Alonso made a brief appearance, leaping off the bench with six minutes remaining.

Goals from Luis Garcia and a brace from ex-Chelsea reserve Ben Sahar sealed the win.