Manchester United Should Try To Pickpocket Stephen Ireland from Rivals Man City

It is a scenario that is occurring more frequently these days.

Manchester United are unable to match transfer bids set by opposing teams.

Either that or Old Trafford is just not glamorous enough compared to other venues.

Last year United fought a losing battle to hold onto their dynamic winger Cristiano Ronaldo.

Real Madrid then kicked United while they were down by stealing French striker Karim Benezma from their grasp.

The latest failure for the Red Devils was their attempt to snap-up Valencia's David Villa. The Spanish striker chose to play his football next season at the Nou Camp instead of in Manchester.

Alex Ferguson and Manchester United are going to have to get use to that bitter taste of disappointment again as their Manchester rivals tabled a £20 million bid for their summer target James Milner.

Manchester United may be the more alluring venue of the two in Manchester, but United have to accept that fact that City have the financial backing to out bid them ten-fold. Alex Ferguson and Man United may have to hold up their hands in defeat in relation to a summer move for Aston Villa's James Milner.

But United should not hang their head in defeat. Instead they should use Man City's potential signing of Milner to their benefit—by securing the services of Stephen Ireland.

If City capture the signature of Milner, Ireland's services would become overkill at the club.

Ireland has found it hard to work his way into to plans of Roberto Mancini, Manchester City's manager. And one can assume that Ireland will find it even more frustrating if Milner joins the ranks at Eastlands.

A year ago it was Manchester City's Irish midfeilder who was tied up in summer transfer rumours, as Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal were all linked with moves for him. Roll back a year to the 2008/09 Premier League season to when Stephan Ireland was named Manchester City's Senior Player of the Year. He was also named the Greater Manchester Player of the Year.

Ireland excelled in the advancing midfield role for City and contributed with nine goals and nine assists, and he missed just three of the 38 league games.

Man City changed from a 4-5-1 formation to a 4-3-3 formation at the start of this season, and Ireland was moved from his favored advanced role to a more defensive central role.

James Milner undoubtedly outperformed Stephen Ireland this season, but Ireland has shown that he has the skill-set and ability to perform at the highest level.

United could save anywhere from £10-£12 million if they changed their sights, and they would not be fighting a losing battle against financially superior teams.

Ferguson's team is crying out for an attacking midfielder, while Stephen Ireland, who is a year younger than James Milner, is desperate to land into a more suited system.

It is time for Man United and Alex Ferguson to swallow their pride and do what is best for the club.