Manchester Evening News

PEP FACING DIFFICULT CALL ON STRIKERS PAGES 42-43

- By CIARAN KELLY

UNITED scouts are not entirely convinced about Tottenham defender Toby Alderweire­ld – and the club have no plans to sign Juventus left-back, Alex Sandro, this summer – according to a high-level source at Old Trafford.

Alderweire­ld remains an option – and United are odds-on favourites to land him should he leave Spurs – but M.E.N. Sport understand­s the 29-year-old is not the preferred name on the club’s shortlist.

It is understood that scouts have expressed concerns about Alderweire­ld’s ‘profile’ and he is not a ‘100 per cent target’.

Tellingly, United are believed to value the player, who will have a £25m release clause in a year’s time, at around £20m less than Tottenham’s asking price of more than £70m.

The club are looking further afield to the Bundesliga, La Liga and Serie A for a potential starting centre-back, which has now become the priority this summer following the signings of Fred and Diogo Dalot.

M.E.N. Sport understand­s that as well as signing a new centre-back, Jose Mourinho is keen on buying a back-up striker and a left-back, although he considers Ashley Young and Luke Shaw to be ‘Ok’ options.

It is not yet known which left-backs United are monitoring but Sandro is no longer in their thoughts as he mulls over a new contract offer at Juventus.

United have been heavily linked with a move for the 27-year-old and reports in Italy claimed last month that a deal would be announced ‘within days’.

However, those noises have gone quiet in recent weeks. It is understood that Sandro is no longer a target and United may look at a younger, cheaper alternativ­e as they have at right-back with the capture of Dalot.

UNITED SPECIAL/ PAGES 45-47

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