Athletic Bilbao midfield dynamo Oscar de Marcos is again in the sights of Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson. The Mirror says Ferguson sent brother Martin, his top European scout, to watch de Marcos against Barcelona as he re-opens his file on the dynamic 23-year-old who dazzled against the Reds last season.

De Marcos was wanted by United in the summer but his high valuation - £25million at the time - put Fergie off the deal and he ploughed his cash into signing Robin van Persie.

Now Ferguson is looking for fresh midfield legs again, with Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs coming towards the end of their careers, and Bilbao may lower the price on de Marcos after a poor season.