Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson remains keen on Benfica star Nicolas Gaitan, despite the youngster signing a new deal this week. The Telegraph says United have made Benfica midfielder Gaitán a target for the January transfer window, but will have to meet a £40 million release clause to sign him.

United remain in the market for an attacking midfielder after failing in summer attempts to sign Inter Milan's Wesley Sneijder and Samir Nasri, who rejected United in favour of a move from Arsenal to Manchester City.

Although Gaitán has largely been deployed as a left-sided winger by Benfica in recent months, the former Boca Juniors player has regularly played in an advanced role behind midfield and attack, a position United have yet to fill following Paul Scholes's retirement at the end of last season.