The agent of Alexander Buttner admits Manchester United first made contact for the Vitesse Arnhem fullback at the beginning of the summer. Buttner visited both Fulham and Southampton in June, but neither club could agree terms with Vitesse for the defender.

"In the week that the transfer to Southampton collapsed, we heard for the first time emphatically that Alexander was being scouted by United," said Aleksander Bursac to De Telegraaf.

"They told him emphatically they would continue to do so, and we heard nothing else. Until four days ago. From that moment it went quite fast.

"United approached the right people at Vitesse to speak with and handled the case professionally. That Alexander for signs for five years is evidence that they have great confidence in him."