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Nani claims Manchester United target William Carvalho is ready to move to the Premier League.

The Sporting Lisbon midfielder has been monitored by Louis van Gaal as the Dutchman looks to sign a top class enforcer this summer.

Kevin Strootman remains the United manager’s first choice - but fresh injury concerns over the Roma player, have forced Van Gaal to consider alternative options.

United are reluctant to enter into a bidding war for Paul Pogba, who left Old Trafford for Juventus in 2012.

And in a summer when Van Gaal will attempt to land superstar names like Gareth Bale, Carvalho could prove a cheaper alternative to Strootman and Pogba.

Nani has been on loan at Sporting this season and believes the £30m-rated Portuguese international could be a success at United.

“He is a great player,” the winger told the the Mail. “He has a lot of quality.

“I think at the end of this season he will be prepared to play in the Premier League.

“I think if Manchester United are interested it’s a good chance.”

Carvalho said last month: “My dream is to play in England.

“I know some clubs are interested, but my agent Jorge (Mendes) is looking after it and I am relaxed.”

Van Gaal will be handed a budget in the region of £150m at the end of the season.

He has admitted that signing a world class midfielder is a priority after being forced to play Wayne Rooney in a withdrawn role for much of the campaign.

Despite United spending a combined £107.4m on Marouane Fellaini, Juan Mata, Ander Herrera and Daley Blind in the past 18 months, Van Gaal still believes he is short in the midfield department.

Strootman was one of the first names he identified when taking over at Old Trafford last summer. But the Dutchman’s cruciate ligament injury meant United had to shelve a bid until seeing if he could make a full recovery.

The 25-year-old returned to action in November, but suffered a fresh set back last month, resulting in further surgery.







Now former Roma club doctor Mario Brozzi has raised fears over Strootman’s long-term future.

“I don’t know what happened to his knee, but his Cyclops syndrome results from a problem in the ligament’s position,” Brozzi told Gold TV. “My impression is that the surgery on Strootman’s ligament did not go perfectly.

“The cartilaginous damage is determined by the extensive deficit.

“Now, if this is the situation, I see no way out. But it’s not up to me to say whether further surgery is needed.”