Manchester United’s scouting of Portuguese football this season has been almost obsessive. Before Jose Mourinho arrived at the club, Manchester United were already arguably the English side to scout Portugal the most and it’s ramped up from there.
The usual target is Benfica, and Old Trafford officials are at almost every single match the Lisbon club take part in, but it doesn’t end there. Manchester United have officials scouting talent every week at the lower level of the first division, presumably trying to spot a potential bargain signing for the future.
Friday night’s trip was more conventional, with Manchester United having someone attend the match between Porto and Arouca. Porto came out 4-0 winners and the Premier League window shopping may well have been useful.
Portuguese newspaper A Bola cover the trip and whilst they don’t suggest who Manchester United will have have been watching, they do point out that Juventus, AS 
Monaco, Sevilla and Borussia Dortmund also had someone at the match.
Porto’s best talents are hardly unknown, and Manchester United would have to pay accordingly.
A Bola believe Man of the Match was Danilo, a defensive midfielder who has been receiving plenty of transfer attention recently. Liverpool and other English clubs have been tentatively linked, and it’s likely going to be Manchester United’s turn next time.
