Manchester United are expected to conclude their protracted negotiations to sign Marcos Rojo from Sporting Lisbon this week after a breakthrough yesterday over a £17.5 million deal that is likely to result in Nani rejoining his former club on loan.

United have been frustrated this summer in attempts to sign Mats Hummels from Borussia Dortmund and Thomas Vermaelen from Arsenal, the latter joining Barcelona, while Mehdi Benatia is expected to leave Roma for Bayern Munich, but a breakthrough has been made over Rojo, whom Louis van Gaal regards as the first of two essential central defensive recruits to fit into his 3-4-1-2 formation.

Talks over Rojo were put on hold last week amid a legal dispute between Sporting and Doyen Sports, the investment fund that