Lucas Moura a Manchester United target - Sir Alex Ferguson

 

Sir Alex Ferguson says Manchester United are interested in Brazil international Lucas Moura.

Ferguson is keen to sign Sao Paulo midfielder Lucas, 19, but the United manager denied a deal, reported to be £26m, has been agreed.

"It's not correct," he told United's official website. 

Who is Lucas Moura?

Born: 13 August 1992, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Clubs: Atletico Juventus (Brazil), Corinthians and Sao Paulo.

International career: 15 senior caps for Brazil including appearances for his country at the 2011 Copa America

"We haven't reached an agreement for the player. We've shown an interest but until such time as we get a deal agreed we can't say he's our player."

Lucas is in Brazil's Olympic squad and has attracted interest from other Premier League clubs, including Chelsea, as well as Real Madrid and Inter Milan.

Ferguson has already signed two players, Japan midfielder Shinji Kagawa and Nick Powell from Crewe, since Manchester City won the Premier League on goal difference from United.

"At this moment we're looking at other options in terms of bringing other players in," Ferguson added at a news conference on Monday in Shanghai, China, where United are on tour ahead of the 2012-13 season.

"We're not lying on our backsides doing nothing. We're trying hard to bring other players to the club."

“Lucas Moura has sustained pace, tight dribbling skills and a long-range shot.”

Tim Vickery South America football expert

Meanwhile, Ferguson has revealed Nemanja Vidic and Jonny Evans, 24, could both miss United's opening game of the season against Everton on 18 August.

Vidic, 30, is back in full training after knee ligament damage and there were hopes the captain would be able to feature at Goodison Park.

But Ferguson has urged caution and says Evans, who has had surgery on a foot injury which ruled him out of the end of last season, could also miss the beginning of the new campaign.

"It's not 100% that Jonny Evans and Vida will start the season," he said.

"Jonny will start running today [Monday]. Vida and Phil Jones started full training today, which is very positive.

"If I can keep Rio Ferdinand fit, then Vidic and Jones should give us ample cover."