Manchester United are prepared to pay as much as £15million for Leighton Baines.

With Sir Alex Ferguson’s side likely to lose their Premier League title to rivals City on Sunday, they are determined not to finish second best next term.

The Reds manager is eager to find a new left-back to compete with Patrice Evra, who has endured his most difficult campaign since arriving at Old Trafford in January 2006.

Ferguson is thought to have made England international Baines, 27, his top target, and is willing to pay as much as £15million to lure him from Everton.

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