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Just when Manchester United fans thought they had seen the last of expensive flop Anderson, another Brazilian with the same name could be on his way to Old Trafford, write Steve Bates and Neil Moxley in the Sunday People.

But this time it is Benfica’s highly-prized Anderson Talisca on United’s radar.

The attacker is being tipped to be a major star – both for his country and Benfica, who are being beseiged by scouts watching the 20-year-old.

United chief Louis van Gaal had his top European scout in Portugal to see Talisca score a vital late winner for Benfica in their recent Champions League clash with Monaco. And the Reds plan to watch him again for Brazil against Austria on Tuesday.

It is not the first time Talisca – who can play off the main striker or as an ­attacking midfielder – has been among the goals for the Portuguese champions.

The goal against Monaco was his ninth in 10 games – and United have joined a queue that includes Real Madrid, Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho was first alerted when he was playing for Bahia in Brazil, and he is now Van Gaal’s main Premier League rival for the player. Talisca’s spectacular form saw him called up to the Brazil squad for the first time last week.

Former Bahia official Newton Mota says he is the new Rivaldo, although others ­compare him to Manchester City’s Yaya Toure.

Mota said: “Some people call him ‘Yaya Talisca’. His technique is very accurate but I liken him more to Rivaldo, who was also left-footed, with a long stride and ­capable of scoring goals from distance.”

Benfica officials are believed to be ­pressing the youngster and his advisors to sign a new contract with a big buy-out clause rumoured to be around £35million.

And that is in sharp contrast to United’s own Brazilian midfielder Anderson, who has become an outcast under Van Gaal.

The 26-year-old is expected to be given a free transfer in January after costing the thirteen-time Premier League champions a staggering £25m in 2007.

Van Gaal also has his eye on Fabian Schar as he urgently seeks defensive cover.

(Image: Mike Hewitt - FIFA)

The Basel defender was watched by United last week after Van Gaal identified the ­recruitment of a strong centre-half as his No.1 priority when the window opens.

Although Mats Hummels and Ron Vlaar are both on his radar, he has also been linked with Porto’s Bruno Martins Indi.