Manchester United are set to make an opening £8 million bid for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Miguel Veloso.

While Sporting insist Veloso won't be allowed to leave for anything less than his £20 million buyout clause, Italian sources say United will make a first bid of £8 million ahead of the January market.

Veloso has made it no secret he wants to join ex-Sporting teammates Nani and Cristiano Ronaldo at United, despite rival interest from Real Madrid.