Sir Alex Ferguson has reportedly written a letter of sympathy to the injured Standard Liège captain Steven Defour to wish him a speedy recovery and assure him that Manchester United will continue to chart his progress, fuelling speculation that the English champions intend making a transfer bid for the 21-year-old.
A dynamic and tidy central midfielder, Defour has been linked with several big European clubs, including United, Arsenal and Aston Villa, but is expected to be out of action until the new year after fracturing a metatarsal in a league match against Mechelen last month. Reports today in Belgium, however, claim that Ferguson has written to the player to encourage him to overcome this setback and promise that United will continue to monitor his progress.
"Dear Steven, I heard about your serious injury," wrote Ferguson in the letter. "You must be feeling quite down and are no doubt asking yourself all sorts of questions. But don't worry: everything will work out. You will have to work hard to come back and I am going to follow your performances. I will remain in contact with Standard. I am writing this letter because one of your fans drew my attention to your injury."
Few people in Belgium envisage a player of Defour's talent remaining in the domestic league beyond next summer at the latest and the revelation of Ferguson's correspondence has fuelled speculation that his destination when he leaves will be Old Trafford. The midfielder, however, has sought to play down that prospect.
"I don't want to talk about it too much," Defour told Het Laatste Nieuws. "I would like to make it clear that he [Ferguson] followed the official procedure, ie he went through Standard. It's a really nice gesture but I wouldn't want people to get the idea that I think I'm already a Manchester United player. Far from it."
Defour made his league debut in Belgium as a 16-year-old and was appointed Standard captain when only 19, a year after his full international debut. Though only 5ft 8in he is an enormous influence in midfield for both club and country, and his eye for an accurate early pass has drawn comparison with Cesc Fábregas. He was voted the Belgian league's player of the year in 2007, and in 2008 guided Standard to their first title in 25 years, and was again pivotal as they retained that honour last season.
He will not be fit enough to resume light training until 1 December and says he is targeting a return to competitive action by 17 January, when Standard take on their arch rivals Anderlecht.
