The agent of Gremio starlet Douglas Costa has sensationally revealed talks with Manchester United. "They [Manchester United] have identified four or five possible replacements for Cristiano Ronaldo in the world, and Douglas is one of them," Cesar Bottega told Radio Gaucha.

"We have been contacted by several clubs some time ago, including Manchester [United], but by South American ones as well."

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson had Jaap Stam check on Douglas Costa in November, while brother Martin Ferguson has also scouted the teenage attacker.