Manchester United Alerted as William Carvalho Announces he Could Leave Sporting

Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho has revealed he could still leave the club this summer after being intensely linked with a move to Manchester United.

The powerful midfielder enjoyed a breakout campaign in Portugal last season with performances that thrust him into international contention and caught the eye of a number of Europe's elite clubs.

During the group stages of the World Cup, Carvalho provided glimpses of his burgeoning potential for Portugal off the bench against the United States and against Ghana. But following his side's elimination at the group stages will soon refocus his attention on his club future and admits a move away from the Estadio Jose Alvalade could be possible, despite insisting he would remain at Sporting earlier in the summer.

"Will I stay at Sporting? I don't know. I'm going back to Portugal and then we will see," Carvalho told MaisFutebol.

Under David Moyes' tenure, United make a string of scouting trips to monitor the youngster's progress but following Louis van Gaal's appointment the club's interest appears to have faded somewhat. However, as illustrated by the club's surprise capture of Ander Herrera on Thursday, the Dutch coach has kept his cards close to his chest in deciding who he will add to United's ailing squad.

Carvalho was expected to be handed a starting role for Portugal in Brazil but manager Paulo Bento retained his favoured midfield trio of Miguel Veloso, Raul Meireles and Joao Moutinho until injury allowed the Sporting youngster to force his way in.

"I am very proud to be in my first World Cup at 22," Carvalho added of his experience in Brazil. "It was a very good experience but unfortunately our objective was not achieved. We are all down, but we have to look to the future.

"Did I expect to play more? It's for the manager to decide who plays. I'm just happy to help."