Manchester United have been told only a straight cash offer will land them Benfica star Angel di Maria. The Guardian says United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has used former Sporting Lisbon player Nani as bait in a possible cash-plus-player exchange with Benfica for the Argentina international Di Maria.

Benfica informed the Premier League champions they did not want to lose their best player midway through the season unless one of his many suitors, Manchester City included, met a release clause of around £30m in his contract.