BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness may have to fight off competition from Manchester United if he wants to press ahead with a move for Norwegian winger Morten Pedersen.

Souness is keen on the Tromso wide-man and has been to watch him play on three separate occasions in the last fortnight.

But now United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is reported to be on the trail of the 22-year-old and he is ready to fly out to Norway next week to watch him in action.

Tromso, who currently lead the Norwegian League, are believed to want around £2 million for Pedersen, who's a left-sided player.

Souness has already said the Norwegians will have to drop their asking price if Rovers are to move in.

But if United join the race then that will inevitably force up the price for a player who is rated as one of the hottest young talents in Scandinavia.