Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is said to be confident of winning the race to sign Arsenal forward Robin van Persie.
The Gunners are expected to sell the 28-year-old Dutchman this summer after the player revealed that he has no intention of extending his current contract, which expires in 12 months.
United and local rivals Manchester City are believed to be in direct competition for Van Persie, who was reportedly spotted house shopping in Cheshire last week.
Ferguson is desperate to bring Van Persie to Old Trafford and has told close friends that he expects to do just that, according to The Mirror.
Van Persie scored 30 Premier League goals last season, three more than Wayne Rooney.