Athletic Bilbao management believe Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson wants to sign their talented attacker Iker Muniain.

Ferguson sent his brother Martin, United's chief scout, to watch Bilbao in defeat to Barcelona on Saturday.

It was claimed United were checking on Bilbao midfielder Oscar de Marcos, however AS says it is Muniain who Ferguson wants.

And it's claimed Muniain was deliberately withdrawn from the line-up so to put off United.