Manchester United have turned their attentions to Porto left-back Alex Sandro in their hunt for Patrice Evra's successor, with their attempts to sign Leighton Baines failing, according to the Metro. Baines remains manager David Moyes's first-choice to replace the veteran Evra, who is out of contract at the end of the season. However, having been repeatedly frustrated in his attempts to land his former player from Everton, the Scotsman has now turned his gaze abroad. Moyes watched Sandro in action during Porto's 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid last week and is understood to be weighing up a move when the transfer window re-opens for business in January. Sandro is one of the most exciting up-and-coming defenders in Europe at present following his £8 million move to Porto from Santos in 2011, and has already made six senior appearances for Brazil. The 22-year-old also represented his country at under-23 level at the 2012 Summer Olympics, playing in the final against Mexico, which Brazil lost 2-1. Any deal would almost certainly bring to an end Evra's eight-year stay at Old Trafford, with the Frenchman tipped to move on in the summer, with former club Monaco believed to be keen.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
