Man United set to sign Sporting Lisbon ace to top off good week

Following Champions League progression and victory over West Ham, it’s been a good week for Manchester United, and it now looks to have got even better with the news Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho has agreed a summer move.

The Mirror report that United have already wrapped up a deal to bring the much sought after 21-year-old to Old Trafford before the start of the World Cup in Brazil, having agreed to meet the £37m release clause written into his current contract with Sporting.

Having missed out on a host of big-name midfield targets last summer, including Barcelona’s Cesc Fabregas and Athletic Bilbao’s Ander Herrera, this will be welcome news for Red Devils fans and sends out the right message of intent.

The Portuguese international has been coveted by raft of the continents’ top clubs including Chelsea, but it’s thought United have beaten them to signing of the Angolan-born star.

It would appear that the prospect of playing for a club who look likely to miss out on the Champions League next season, hasn’t dissuaded Carvalho.

In turn this transfer ushers in more hope for David Moyes that his other reported targets, such as Bayern Munich’s Toni Kroos, can also be attracted to the club this summer.

Of course, due to their dismal domestic campaign it looks increasingly likely United will have to win the trophy to secure a Champions League spot next season.

However, with fate bringing them up against the holders Bayern, a tough task just got a whole lot tougher.

Ladbrokes have made United the 9/2 outsiders to win the first-leg at Old Trafford, with Bayern the 4/7 favourites to secure victory and the overwhelming 1/8 faves to qualify at the English club’s expense.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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