UNITED KEEP TABS ON PORTUGUESE WHIZKID

Last updated : 14 January 2003 By editor

Sporting Lisbon golden boy Carlos Quaresma has been identified as the next big thing to come out of Portugal - and is tipped to have an even bigger future than Luis Figo.

He is already rated in the £12million bracket by his club, even though he is still only 18.

The Manchester United boss sent chief scout Mick Brown to watch Quaresma in Saturday's 1-0 home defeat against Porto.

It was their latest trip to see one of Europe's leading young talents - and one of the most significant given the opening of the transfer window.

A deal with their Portuguese 'twin' club is more likely at the end of the season, however, as they monitor his progress.