Manchester United are ready to make a third Serb signing this month.

The Times says Filip Djuricic, a 16-year-old midfield player, attended United's 3-0 victory over Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday as a guest of the European champions, who are considering a late bid to beat Ajax to his signature.

Since signing Nemanja Vidic three years ago, United have established a strong scouting network in the Balkans, led by Budimir Vujacic, the former Yugoslavia forward.

Vujacic was influential in uncovering Zoran Tosic and Adem Ljajic, who last month agreed to join United from Partizan Belgrade in a combined deal worth a projected £17.3 million, and he has now proposed a deal for Djuricic, who hopes to leave Radnicki Obrenovac, his home-town club, for a small fee. Ajax were expected to sign the teenager, but United, having been alerted to his availability and potential, may make a counter-bid.