Manchester United dispatched chief scout Martin Ferguson to Spain at the weekend.

Sir Alex's brother, his most trusted spy on the continent, was sent to run the rule over Espanyol and Valencia on Saturday.

A host of players could have been coming under his gaze but reports suggest that Espanyol goalkeeper Carlos Karmeni was his primary concern.

The African shot-stopper is one of the most highly regarded goalkeepers in Spain and has long been under United's radar.

Kameni was made aware of English presence at the game but said he was fully committed to the Espanyol cause.

Indeed, Espanyol have opened talks with Kameni's representatives - who were also present at the weekend - over a new deal.

His current contract expires next year and the Barcelona-based outfit are anxious for him to sign a new long-term deal.

Espanyol supremo Daniel Sanchez Llibre reiterated that he was calm over any English scouts being at the match - which his side won 2-0 - and that nobody had made any approaches.

"We do not get preoccupied by this," Sanchez Llibre told skysports.com.

"The presence of a scout from England is normal, but in this moment nobody has made any formal contact with us."