Athletic Bilbao midfielder Oscar de Marcos is wanted by Manchester United.

The Mirror says the 22-year-old Spaniard impressed Sir Alex Ferguson as the Basque side knocked United of the Europa League last month, and he sees the playmaker as a potential long-term replacement for Paul Scholes.

Ferguson is keen to bolster his options in midfield given the struggles United had before Scholes' return earlier in the season, but they will have to meet the buy-out clause written into De Marcos' contract if they wish to prize him away from the San Mames.