Darren Ferguson is set to go head-to-head with his father for the signature of Stockport's teenage central defender Josh Thompson.

The 17-year-old, who has made six senior appearances, has been a target of Ferguson Jnr for a while, but after spending a week on trial at Old Trafford towards the end of last season, it is now thought Sir Alex may be ready to make an offer.

However, Darren will be confident that the promise of greater first-team opportunities will be enough to tempt the youngster to leave Stockport, who are currently in administration and without a manager, for London Road.

"He's one of the top young defenders in the country right now, along with Ryan Bennett at Grimsby," the Posh boss told the Evening Telegraph.

"We've made an offer and I believe we have a good chance of getting him. He was on trial at United last season and at West Brom, and I know both clubs were impressed.

"But as far as I know we are the only ones to have made a bid so far. Josh is our sort of player, he's very talented and yet capable of great improvement."