According to reports in Portugal, Manchester United are keeping an eye on Benfica's Portuguese international defender Miguel as Sir Alex Ferguson searches for a defender to fill the big boots of suspended Rio Ferdinand.

Miguel, 24, has been very impressive during Benfica's SuperLiga campaign this season and has reportedly attracted interest from other top European outfits.

United's Chief Scout Eric Harrison and fellow other United scouts have kept an eye on him at Benfica's recent training session in Nyon and have also watched him during the Portuguese club's UEFA Cup fixture against Norwegian opponents Rosenborg.

Luis Miguel Brito Garcia Monteiro, better known as just 'Miguel', hasn't long ago signed a contract with Benfica which expires in 4 years but surely the mouth-watering prospect of playing for The Red Devils can lure him away from the Estadio da Luz.