MAN UTD SCOUT SPORTING LISBON STARS JOAO MARIO AND WILLIAM CARVALHO AHEAD OF SUMMER TRANSFER WINDOW

English Premier League side, Manchester United sent scouts to watch Sporting Lisbon stars Joao Mario and William Carvalho this weekend ahead of the proposed big summer transfer market they are planning.

The Old Trafford club’s representative in Portugal has spent most of the campaign following starlet Renato Sanches’ progress but missed a first Benfica match since December after the midfielder signed for Bayern Munich.

The Red Devils play their final game of the Premier League season against Bournemouth tonight, but with a top four spot surely out of reach, the club are already looking at how to improve for next season. United can in theory move above Manchester City into fourth, but would need to win by a 19-goal margin at Old Trafford on Tuesday to make up the gap in goal difference. Having spent big in the last few summers, United are yet to see a real return on their investment, but look set to continue to make changes as they eye up Mario and Carvalho.

Turning their attention to other targets, United representatives watched Sporting fail to win the title despite a 4-1 win at The Quarry with Joao Mario once again impressing. The 23-year-old has emerged from the shadow of his younger teammates to star for the Lions this season. Now a Portuguese international, Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly keen on taking the all-action midfielder to Ligue 1.

Aside the youngster, The Red Devils are interested in Schalke winger Leroy Sane. Sane, 20, scored his ninth goal of the season in Schalke's 4-1 win at Hoffenheim on Saturday. He has been identified as a target for Manchester City and Barcelona though Schalke are keen to keep him for at least another season. Schalke have denied reports Sane has a buyout clause of £28million and say he is worth closer to £40m as they look to deter suitors.