Manchester United consider a £20million bid for Carlton Cole.

Sir Alex Ferguson squad looks weakened by the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez and the England man is one of the best options as a replacement.

Liverpool are also understood to be interested.

For Ferguson, though, Cole is someone who could play with Wayne Rooney and who offers something different — more of a physical presence — from the forwards he has at Old Trafford.

Ferguson has hardly touched the £80m United received for Ronaldo.