Manchester United in for Argentina left-back?

Manchester United sent scouts to attend Sporting Lisbon's game against newly-promoted Arouca, according to Record.

There's nothing too unusual about that, with United sending scouts to Portugal constantly, but it's usually the two bigger sides, Porto and Benfica, who've been gathering the attention. Ezequiel Garay was one saga which the same source had constantly insisted was set for United, with the club's scouts certainly attending their fair share of Benfica games - but those are two clubs filled with talented stars, and United could be there to watch anyone.

Sporting Lisbon are not so well-stocked, however. Almost all of the players fielded were of insufficient ability to trouble United, or in positions that aren't needed (Record suggest that Rui Patricio, the goalkeeper, was being scouted by Monaco at the same match, but United are unlikely to be looking for a first-choice goalkeeper.)

The only player who stands out is Marcos Rojo, a man who has been hailed as the solution to Argentina's left-back problem. He currently has 17 caps at the age of just 23, and looks like he could be a real star for the future. It's also a position that United are known to be looking for an upgrade in, with Patrice Evra in advanced years and Alexander Buttner not exactly impressing (with rumours of a loan to Besiktas circling.)

Whether we'll get any updates on this in future remain to be seen, but it might not necessarily mean anything is imminent. Both Manchester United and David Moyes have been known to scout players for a very long time, and with not too many reports of United watching Sporting games, then it's not known how long Rojo has been on the radar. One answer, however, is that the player could be a long-term target of Moyes, with Sporting players hardly out of Everton's price or prestige range.

It's only speculation at this point, but we might see a few rumours crop up in the press. United have more pressing concerns but our interest in a left-back is well-documented with our pursuit of Leighton Baines. Yet with Everton looking highly reluctant to part with him, and the player seemingly in no mood to force the issue, it wouldn't be a surprise if United started moving for alternatives.