Sporting Defender Mauricio Reveals Manchester United Contact

Sporting Lisbon defender Mauricio claims Manchester United made contact with his personal manager over a possible move to Old Trafford.

United's attempts to fill the defensive void left by Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic during the summer transfer window saw them to turn to Sporting and Marcos Rojo.

The Argentine centre half jumped at the chance to join Louis van Gaal's side in a deal worth £16m that also saw winger Nani return to the Estadio Alvalade and rejoin his boyhood club on a season-long loan deal.

However, in an interview with Brazilian outlet Esporte UOL, 26-year-old Mauricio claimed he was also considered by the Premier League club but insists he remains satisfied with life at Sporting.

"They [Manchester United] sought my manager, Carlos Goncalves," Mauricio said. "But I am a centred, focused and very calm person. It was not a certain thing. Here at Sporting people like me very much and I am very happy."

Mauricio – full name Mauricio dos Santos Nascimento – was initially linked with a move to Old Trafford last year after the club reportedly made a number of visits to watch him in action in the Portuguese top flight.

The Brazilian has just one full season in European football under his belt, having only signed a five-year deal with Sporting in the summer of 2013.

Prior to his move to Portugal, Mauricio was infamously involved in an on-field punch up with teammate Briga Obina while playing for Palmeiras. The two came to blows as they made their way to the tunnel and were both shown red cards.

United's failure to adequately replace their long-term defensive stalwarts this summer was thrown under the spotlight during a spate of injuries that left manager Van Gaal with just one fit centre half in Rojo during the club's worst moments.

The injured trio of Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Jonny Evans have returned to light training during the international break, providing the Dutchman with some much-needed respite ahead of the visit of West Bromwich Albion on 20 October.