Manchester United Prepare Bid for Arsenal Target Morgan Schneiderlin - Report

Manchester United are preparing a move for Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin in the summer, according to the Mirror.

David Moyes has earmarked the Saints star as the man to replace 32-year-old Michael Carrick, who is unlikely to carry on much longer.

The Frenchman has been in brilliant form for Southampton this season, keeping the cohesion in midfield and getting them out of tight places. The midfielder is expected to be available for a fee in the range of £15m, with Arsenal also interested in his signature.

The Gunners have earmarked the player as a long-term successor for Mikel Arteta, who has been in dismal form through the length of the season.

The Spaniard has become leggy and is too languid on the ball against top opposition, something which has been apparent in their drubbings against Liverpool and Chelsea in recent weeks.

Moyes, who has been under immense pressure this season to perform, has turned a corner near the end of the season and is looking to upset Bayern Munich for a place in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Their league results have also been satisfactory in recent weeks, something which is likely to give United fans confidence to entrust the Scotsman with another year in charge of the Red Devils.

The former Everton manager is likely to be handed a lot of money to spend in the summer, with the manager ready to splash the cash to overhaul his defence, which has been in shambles this season.

With the likes of Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra leaving after the end of the season, Moyes has a task in his hands to recruit a flurry of full-backs and defenders to rejuvenate his side and try to abstain from the chaos that pursued last summer.

Schneiderlin's arrival will be a step in the right direction for Moyes, who has many attacking players but lacks in the holding department with the continued absence of Darren Fletcher and the profligacy of Carrick.