Sir Alex Ferguson has dismissed reports that Manchester United are interested in signing 18-year-old Brazilian midfielder Douglas Costa. "We've invested in two full-time scouts in Brazil and it's a country that produces fantastic footballers," Ferguson said.

"Brazilians can often play in big games all the time and they have an energy and enthusiasm to play football.

"You have to follow the trends in football. Once upon a time in England the north-east was a great hunting ground for scouts. It goes in cycles.

"We had a spell with good local players at Manchester United in 1993. Not so long it was France, and there are still some fantastic young players coming out of that country. You have to keep your eyes open.

"But when you see names it doesn't necessarily mean we're actually going to sign someone.

"People see our scouts at games and jump to inclusions and they think, 'Manchester United are here: they must be watching such and such a player'.

"Just because we watch them doesn't mean we're going to sign them."