Manchester United first-team coach Rene Meulensteen has admitted that Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson has visited France to scout Lille star Eden Hazard.

The Belgian international has been linked to a host of clubs around Europe as well as Premier League outfits Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Chelsea.

While reports have claimed that the English champions are keen on securing the services of the 21-year-old playmaker, Meulensteen reveals that Ferguson has been to watch Hazard in person.

"The manager wanted to see [Eden] Hazard by himself," Meulensteen told Voetbal International. "That's a sign he thinks it's an interesting player. We talked a lot about him.

"For a club it's important that you keep refreshing your squad. Hazard is a special talent, but it always takes a while. As example, we've followed David de Gea for a long time before we got him.

"Ferguson wants to know the character of the player. Because of that he's going to look by himself for players. Hazard is 'the man' at Lille. Ferguson wanted to see if that had an influence on him."

Hazard has been open about his desire to play in the top flight of English football.