Pundit and former Zenit St Petersburg midfielder Gennady Orlov can't see Uraly Alip joining Manchester United.

United are scouting Zenit's Kazakhstan defender Alip this season.

But Orlov told Sport-Express: "Alip is improving, but you shouldn't overpraise him. He's playing more reliably now, of course. However, a high-level defender must be able to start attacks with the first pass. Alip does not have this technique.

"And if in our championship you can do without a first pass, then at the European level this will immediately catch your eye.

"Interest in him from Manchester United? No, I don't believe in that. More like some kind of agent games. Well, which Manchester United? Alip still needs to stay in the main lineup of Zenit. There is also Erakovic, Rodrigao. Karavaev can also play in the centre of defence if necessary. So it's not all that simple."