Manchester United are pushing to land Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas this weekend. The Telegraph says having lodged a formal offer for Fabregas on Monday, United are still to receive a response from Barcelona about their intentions with the former Arsenal captain.

But there is a growing confidence at United that a deal for Fabregas can be struck - potentially during their two-game trip to Japan next week - prior to a more challenging move for Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Gareth Bale.

Publicly, the Spanish club continue to insist he is not for sale.

"Barca will not entertain any offers for Cesc. He is completely non-transferable," said sports vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu, but United are unconcerned by that.