Manchester United have set about finding a replacement for veteran skipper Michael Carrick.

The Daily Star says two of Jose Mourinho's scouts were sent to watch last week's Champions League game between Roma and Atletico Madrid.

They were monitoring the progress of a midfielder on each side – Saul Niguez, 22, and Radja Nainggolan, 29.

Captain Carrick is 36 and this is expected to be his last season as a United player.

The midfielder joined the Red Devils in 2006 from Tottenham and has so far made a total of 459 appearances for United.