Quote:Steve Bruce is lining up a raid for Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck after Sunderland's lucrative sale of Darren Bent.

The Reds forward is on loan at the Stadium of Light until the end of the season but Bruce is keen to make the deal permanent. Sunderland are flush with money after the Bent's move to Aston Villa which could see them make up to £24million.

Bruce faces opposition from Sir Alex Ferguson, who insists Welbeck has a future at Old Trafford, but an offer in excess of £10m could be enough to convince United to sell.