Manchester United Tracking Corinthians Defender - Report

Manchester United are reportedly tracking Corinthians defender and Brazil U20 captain Antonio Carlos.

The 19-year-old made only six appearances in all competitions for the Sao Paulo outfit last year but is considered one of the brightest young talents in South America. Carlos joined third division side Oeste on loan last week, as he looks to earn some regular fist team action.

United officials have already made contact with Corinthians' director of football and former Arsenal midfielder Edu Gaspar, regarding the availability of Carlos, according to the Daily Mirror.

The report also claims the Red Devils' South American scouts would monitor him further over the coming months, before making a decision on the youngster.

SAF: I Hope United Do Not Regret Bernabeu Misses

Meanwhile, Sir Alex Ferguson said he is hoping United do not end up rueing the missed chances from the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie with Real Madrid. The Red Devils posted a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu last month but they had some decent opportunities to win the game, with most of them falling for talisman Robin van Persie.

"We could have scored five or six. Unusually for van Persie, he missed two great opportunities and their goalkeeper made a couple of good saves. Danny Welbeck missed one just before half time. We expected Madrid to have a lot of possession, there was nothing that worried me and they weren't carving us open," The Scot told The Sun.

The two sides had met each other in the Champions League quarter finals of the 1999-2000 and 2002-03 seasons, with the Meringues progressing to the semis on both occasions. In 2000, United had managed a 0-0 draw in the first leg at the Bernabeu but were beaten 3-2 in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford.

"My two previous experiences at the Bernabeu were somewhat different. We drew 0-0 the first time in 2000 and I considered that a poor result. I feared what they would do to us at Old Trafford, and they did. That bit of skill from Fernando Redondo just after half time killed us," Ferguson added.

United enter Tuesday's second leg at Old Trafford, knowing Madrid can qualify for the quarter finals, if they manage a score draw.