Porto stopper Bruno Alves is back on the agenda of Manchester United.

Marca says United boss Sir Alex Ferguson sees Alves as a direct replacement for Nemanja Vidic at the end of this season.

Vidic is a top target for Real Madrid and has also been linked with Barcelona.

Alves attracted a serious offer from Manchester City last January and Ferguson has pumped Portugal coach and former United No2 Carlos Queiroz for information on the powerful centre-half.