NEMANJA VIDIC is in danger of alienating himself from his Manchester United team-mates over his surly attitude.

The Serbian defender has again stunned playing pals in training with his overly- aggressive tackling on young players.

Vidic left United kid Cameron Stewart in a crumpled heap during a training ground exercise at Carrington last week.

He also skipped practice last Saturday when he rung in sick.

Vidic has not played for United since the 5-0 victory over Wigan on December 30.

He has been struggling to shake off a calf injury.

His attitude at the training ground has frequently been called into question this season and his team-mates are becoming increasingly irritated with his behaviour.

Vidic had been due for a return against Leeds in the FA Cup but prompted a dressing- room row after pulling out lame in the warm-up.

Vidic is angling for a move away in the summer and, after already landing Fulham's Chris Smalling, United are monitoring Palermo's £10million-rated Danish defender Simon Kjaer as a replacement.

BOLTON midfielder Mark Davies has emerged as a Red-hot target for Manchester United and Liverpool.

The Trotters star, 21, who plays against Tottenham in the FA Cup fifth round at the Reebok today, found his play-making role restricted under old manager Gary Megson.

But Davies has flourished under Owen Coyle, prompting scouts from both clubs to watch him at Manchester City on Tuesday.

Representatives from Old Trafford and and Anfield are expected at today's game, with United looking for a long-term successor to Paul Scholes.

Interest in Davies is part of a trend for top-flight clubs to look at home-grown talent because of a Premier League law being introduced for next season.

It requires teams to have a minimum of eight English players in a 25-man squad.

Davies, who is valued at around £5million, arrived from Wolves a year ago and has since gradually forced his way into the starting team.

He was praised for giving Arsenal a hard time at the Emirates last month before making the headlines as he fell victim to a hefty William Gallas challenge that nearly left the France defender facing disciplinary charges.

Bolton boss Coyle was furious at the tackle which he claimed was lucky not to have inflicted more serious damage on Davies.

On Sunday, Davies will be up against Jermain Defoe, whose boss Harry Redknapp insists the England striker can improve his all-round game despite hitting the 20 goals mark this season.

Redknapp said: "He is a great scorer but there are areas of his game he can improve - such as holding the ball and getting up channels when defenders are looking for a forward ball.

"He is a top-class finisher when he has the opportunities. but some days he must do that bit extra to make it happen."

Redknapp won the trophy with Portsmouth in 2008 but has been shocked by their plight since.

And he has questioned why Pompey continued to spend when he left five months after Wembley glory.

He said: "I don't know where it all goes. We all thought we built a terrific team there."

KARIM BENZEMA could be on his way to Manchester United - at a knockdown price.

Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson made the striker his No 1 target last summer but would not meet Lyon's £25million valuation.

Instead, Benzema went to Real Madrid though he has not made a big impact with the Spanish giants.

His seven goals in 19 games have not been enough for Real president Florentino Perez, who wants Valencia's David Villa to replace the French ace in the summer.

According to Spanish sources, Benzema can go for around £18m but United will face competition from AC and Inter Milan.

A move to Inter would pave the way for Manchester City target Mario Balotelli to move to Eastlands.

MANCHESTER is on course for another summer of transfer strife with wealthy Manchester City preparing to move for their neighbours’ unsettled centre-back Nemanja Vidic. The move would form part of City’s strategy to replace Manchester United as England’s premier football club, and echoes their successful poaching of Carlos Tevez from Old Trafford last year.

Like Tevez, Vidic is understood to feel undervalued and he has attracted the interest of several leading clubs, including Real Madrid and AC Milan. The 28-year-old Serbia international’s contract expires in 2012 and United are yet to talk about extending it.

Despite signing Joleon Lescott and Kolo Toure for combined transfer fees of £40m, central defence remains a weak area for City. An approach to Vidic in the summer would be modelled on the attempt to lure John Terry from Chelsea in the last close season. City promised to double the then-England captain’s wages to £250,000 a week. Encouraged by communication from Terry that he would move should a transfer be agreed with Chelsea, City made a series of substantial offers, all of them rejected.

City’s interest is unlikely to be welcomed by Sir Alex Ferguson, United’s manager. He has had to deal with problems in central defence all season, with both Vidic and Rio Ferdinand frequent absentees. In January, United agreed an £10m deal for Fulham’s Chris Smalling. They are also monitoring the centre-back’s England under-21 teammate Jack Rodwell, of Everton, and Denmark international Simon Kjaer. Vidic, inset, feels that performances that saw him named as the Premier League Player of the Season last term should be rewarded with promotion into the £100,000-a-week wage bracket. Offers from City and Madrid to exceed those terms means Ferguson would have to sell to a major rival, improve Vidic’s pay or try to manage a disgruntled performer.

RYAN GIGGS fears he will be out for up to SIX WEEKS after having a metal plate inserted in his arm.

The Manchester United winger broke his right arm during their 1-1 draw with Aston Villa last week.

Giggs was told he would need a metal plate to help the injury heal after talks with club docs.

An initial assessment put Giggs out for a month but he has since been warned it may well take a little longer.

The Welshman is desperate to play a part in United's chase for their fourth successive Premier League title.

Those plans are on hold for the time being but he should return to full fitness by the start of March.

PATRICE EVRA has made it his business to ensure David Beckham's Old Trafford return is a "catastrophe".

The French defender said: "After all that David Beckham did and won at Manchester United I'm sure he'll get a fantastic reception from the fans.

"He will deserve a great ovation. I've spoken to lots of people here about Becks and have friends at Milan who have told me what he's like and a lot of people underestimate how much he puts into the game and what a hard worker he is.

"He has the playboy image but all his team-mates say the same thing - that he's the ultimate professional.

"But, that said, my job is to make his return to Old Trafford a catastrophe.

"That is my job, after all. I could well be up against him, it will be up to me to make sure he doesn't have too much of an impact."

Evra, 28, is also chasing a fourth successive Premier League crown.

And he said: "When I am asked which team I fear most, I always say the same thing - United.

"It's not a question of being arrogant but, as far as I'm concerned, it's down to us.

"I have a lot of respect for Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa. But if we don't win the title every year, then as far as I'm concerned we haven't done our job properly.

"This club is all about winning and nothing else is acceptable. I'm lucky enough to have been in a side that's won the last three titles and I don't want that to stop.

"If you're inclined to want to sit back and rest on your laurels you will soon be told about it. At United, if you have a good game, you'll find yourself on the bench. It's only if you're on the very top of your form that you will hold on to your place.

"On the rare occasions that we lose a match a lot of my football friends are very quick to send me messages taking the mickey and trying to wind me up.

"I always respond by saying, 'no it's very good that this happened to us, because it helps me realise what it must be like playing for your team every week."

DAVID BECKHAM insists romance will go out of the window when AC Milan take on Manchester United at the San Siro in the Champions League this week.

And he has warned that fallen Brazil star Ronaldinho is getting back to his best and in the mood to bring down United.

"Will I have to be ruthless? Without a doubt. I am part of the AC Milan squad now and this is a tie we have to win," said Beckham.

"It is is a massive game for Milan.

"Of course I have special feelings and memories of United. It will always be part of my life but I will be doing all I can to beat them and get a Milan win."

And the former England skipper warned: "There are plenty of big players at this club but Ronaldinho has been showing especially great form recently.

"As he showed in our win against Udinese on Friday, he can open up defences."

Beckham once said he would find it hard to turn out against the Reds. The prospect of playing against his former club would make him physically sick.

Now, though, he is eager not just to take part but to contribute to United's downfall. Milan are too far behind leaders Inter to challenge for the Serie A title, putting extra importance on their Champions League progress.

Tuesday's last 16 clash in Milan will be the first time Beckham has been involved in a competitive game against United since his acrimonious departure from Old Trafford seven years ago.

"Will it be hard to separate the emotions? I've never had to do it before like this but I don't think it will be a problem," he said.

"This tie is not just about me going back to United or playing against United, it's about AC Milan qualifying for the next round of the Champions League and that's the most important thing.

"There's been so much talk about me playing against United because it's my first time in seven years, but the objective of the night is to win the game and win the tie.

"I have played in a lot of big games throughout my career but I said a few weeks ago that this was one of the biggest games for me personally.

"But it can't be all about me, especially when we go to Old Trafford for the second leg.

"The most important thing for the team is beating United and going through, which I hope we do. I admit it's going to be a weird feeling playing against United - especially the second leg at Old Trafford - but I am ready for it now.

"Over the years, when I was at Real Madrid, I always hoped I would go back but there was something inside me saying 'It wouldn't be right at the moment'.

"I always felt I wasn't quite ready to go back. But as soon as I found out about the Champions League draw last month, it felt right.

"I'm looking forward to it, two great clubs coming together in such a big game.

"It's going to be a great game for both teams and both sets of fans."

Hurt

Beckham won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and one Champions League trophy with United in a glorious 10 years before falling out with Sir Alex Ferguson and being sold to Real Madrid.

The rift between Becks and Fergie has been patched up but the 34-year-old England star remains hurt deep down that his career at United ended so abruptly.

He would only grin when asked how he might celebrate should he score over the two legs - although it remains to be seen whether he actually starts.

Beckham, who re-joined Milan on loan from LA Galaxy in December, was left on the bench for the second successive game in Friday night's 3-2 win over Udinese.

He came on for the last 15 minutes and did not look in top form.

But Milan's manager Leonardo might yet feel Beckham's experience and sheer presence could prove decisive in the clash against United.

"We know it's a very special situation in David's life," said Leonardo, a former World Cup winner with Brazil.

"To play Champions League against his old team - that is very special.

"In the last two games we have tried one or two other players in different positions to get used to the system, so we shall see whether I start with him or not.

"But even from the bench he can be important for us.

"He is very smart, very intelligent, and can play in a variety of positions."

Ferguson sat in the stands on Friday night and saw Milan operate a fairly rigid 4-3-3 system.

Beckham eventually came on to play wide on the right of the front rather than middle three, which is where he is most likely to start if he gets the nod.

Milan's build-up play was usually channelled through central midfield pivot Andrea Pirlo and was generally predictable.

Milan looked suspect to pace at the back and keeper Dido looks be on the wane.

But up front Dutchman Klaas-Jan Huntelaar looked to be finding form with two goals. So too is young Brazilian forward Alexandre Pato, who scored the other.

But it was Ronaldinho, operating as a play-maker from a berth on the left flank, who really caught the eye.

He made all three goals against Udinese - the second, converted by Pato, set up by a brilliant 50-yard pass on the turn by the former double World Player of the Year, who only turns 30 next month.

Leonardo said: "Ronaldinho had some problems in the last years but I think he demonstrates he's still a very good player. He is very, very important for us."

United must certainly beware of the mighty Brazilian turning on the style on the big stage.

But Beckham agreed that United's Wayne Rooney is now in the same league as Ronaldinho.

Beckham added: "Can you compare them? Without a doubt.

"I've always said Wayne is one of the best players and goalscorers in football.

"He's proving that. He's at a great club and he's doing what he does best - scoring goals."