Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, who is expected to be without the injury-plagued Brazilian, Anderson, for the rest of the season because of a suspected torn hamstring, spent Saturday evening at Stade de Gerland as French champions Lille suffered a 2-1 defeat against Lyon.
Ferguson has held a long-standing interest in Hazard, but Tottenham had been favourites to sign the 21 year-old, who has also been monitored by Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City.
However, with Ferguson determined to avoid a repeat of last summer's failure to add an attacking midfielder to his squad, when moves for Samir Nasri and Wesley Sneijder both ended in disappointment, the Scot is keen to identify targets for an early raid in the transfer market this summer, reported The Daily Mail.
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, speaking to French media at the weekend, conceded that United had emerged as serious rivals in the race for Hazard.
"Our owner is ready to pay for an exceptional talent like Eden Hazard," Redknapp said. "But I know Manchester United are also following him very closely. Manchester City too, so it will be difficult to sign him."
Having been handed his Lille debut as a 16 year-old in November 2007, Hazard was dubbed 'Little Messi' by then-coach Claude Puel because of apparent similarities in the player's attacking play from the right flank.
But Hazard was also urged to show "more charisma" by former Belgium coach Dick Advocaat to realise his potential.
Ferguson's decision to reinstate Paul Scholes to his squad following the 37 year-old's retirement about-turn in January has highlighted the need for a long-term replacement for the veteran, however.
And while Athletic Bilbao's Iker Muniain was hugely impressive during his team's 3-2 Europa League victory at Old Trafford last Thursday, the Spain international says he has no desire to pursue a move away from his present club.
A move for Hazard could be eased with a victory for the Socialist party in the forthcoming French elections because of calls by their presidential candidate, Francois Hollande, for a 75 per cent tax rate on millionaires.
Should such a proposal be implemented, it is expected to spark an exodus of leading talent from the French league, with Hazard unlikely to halt his desire to move this summer.
United's pursuit of Hazard, if successful, could prove a blow to Anderson's attempts to claim a regular place at Old Trafford, five years after arriving from Porto.
The 23 year-old has made just 16 first-team appearances this season because of injury problems and, having returned to the fold for the first time since Jan 8 with a substitute outing against Bilbao last week, is now awaiting the result of scans on a hamstring injury sustained in training at the week.
There are fears that the injury could lead to Anderson being sidelined until the end of the season. AGENCIES
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