Manchester United have opened talks with Gremio to sign Brazilian youngster Douglas Costa, according to various reports.

The highly rated 18-year-old has become a target for Sir Alex Ferguson since the announcement that Cristiano Ronaldo will be leaving Old Trafford for Real Madrid.

Reports suggest Costa has a £21m release clause in his contract, although United hope to bring that figure down.

Costa's agent Cesar Bottega said yesterday: "There have been informal conversations and I believe United would match those values"

Manchester United's midfield trio of Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher and Anderson all battled through the opening leg of the club's Champions League semi-final win over Arsenal six days ago but were rested for the clash with Middlesbrough last weekend. They will presumably start again on Tuesday evening, when United visit Ashburton Grove.

Regarding the tie, Ferguson singled out Anderson for specific praise and outlined the sort of role that he envisages the player fulfilling in future years.

"The midfield worked so hard against Arsenal in the first leg, we decided to rest the three of them," Ferguson told the club's official website. "We put Anderson on the bench because he’s not had as much football as Michael and Darren. But they’ve had a rest and they’ll be fresh for Tuesday if I decide to play them all."

On whose game he believes Anderson would be wise to learn off in order to grow in his most natural position, Ferguson said, "I think he is going to replace Paul Scholes, that’s my opinion. I think he’s an outstanding talent; he's got fantastic speed and strength.

"He’s still only 21. In the second half [against Arsenal], he was starting to be too positive, so we brought Giggs into midfield to give us more experience."

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Manchester United will be without Anderson and Jonny Evans for three weeks because of ankle injuries.

Midfielder Anderson, 20, and defender Evans, 21, were both stretchered off during United's Carling Cup win over Derby on Tuesday.

"Anderson went for a scan and there is no break," said Sir Alex Ferguson. "But there was some ligament damage. We think he will be out for three weeks.

"Jonny Evans will also be out for three weeks," added the United boss.

Rafael and Nani were also injured against the Rams and Ferguson confirmed that they will be missing for United's FA Cup clash with Tottenham on Saturday.

Ryan Giggs and his Manchester United team-mates may still believe they can win teh quadruple!

United are still in it to win it in the FA Cup and Champions league, whilst they top the Premier League adn are in the final of the Carling Cup!

"Hopefully the latest injuries won't have too much of an impact because we've also got the likes of Patrice, Wayne, Wes and Rio all coming back. So that should help," said Ryan.

"People have been talking about us winning all four trophies, but as players we just get on with things. We've got as far as we can in the League Cup now and we'll look forward to the final when it comes round. Next it's the FA Cup, then it's back to the league.

"We've just got to perform well in every game and make sure we have the right attitude and concentration going into whatever competition we're playing in."

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will have been frustrated by his side's wastefulness, with Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo guilty of throwing away obvious openings.

It was United who had the first opportunity when Arsenal keeper Almunia inexplicably picked up a backpass from Mikael Silvestre inside the first two minutes. Arsenal were relieved when Anderson's free-kick was half-cleared and Michael Carrick turned the loose ball wide.

Rooney missed an even better chance for United after 17 minutes, carelessly lofting an inviting ball from Ronaldo over the top when it seemed certain he would score.

Arsenal took full advantage of the reprieve to take the lead five minutes later, when Nasri's shot took a crucial deflection off Neville and wrong-footed Edwin van der Sar. It was a wonderfully open game but Arsenal were playing like a team stung by recent criticism and the sight of old rivals United had only inspired them further.

Fabregas had a shot deflected just wide but United were threatening themselves and Almunia needed to save well from Ji-Sung Park.

If there was a frustration for Arsenal, it would have been that the crucial second goal had eluded them, despite their dominance. They did not have to wait long to get it as Nasri doubled their advantage three minutes after the restart. Fabregas was at the centre of affairs again, punishing United for failing to pick up Nasri when he threaded through a perfect pass for the France midfield man to beat Van der Sar with an emphatic finish.

United, uncharacteristically, were lacking a cutting edge and wasted a perfect opportunity to grasp at a lifeline immediately after Arsenal's goal. Park found Ronaldo unmarked at the far post but he dragged his shot across the face of goal with only Almunia to beat.

Almunia then required lengthy treatment after an accidental clash with Carrick as United refused to give up on the belief that they could get back into an enthralling encounter. He carried on but was clearly in discomfort and was replaced by Lukasz Fabianski with 12 minutes left.

United also replaced Rooney with Carlos Tevez and Anderson with Ryan Giggs in what was clearly a last throw of the dice by Ferguson as time ran out. Rafael, who had replaced Neville in the 63rd minute, pulled one back in the final minute with a spectacular left-foot volley from the edge of the box after Arsenal failed to clear a Giggs cross.

Manchester United Brazilian Anderson will be lining up against his club team mate Cristiano Ronaldo when Brazil face Portugal in a November friendly.

Anderson made the Brazil squad, with Ronaldinho failing to make the cut!

Squad:
Keepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan/ITA), Doni (AS Roma/ITA)

Defender: Maicon (Inter Milan/ITA), Daniel Alves (FC Barcelona/ESP), Lucio (Bayern Munich/GER), Miranda (Sao Paulo), Thiago Silva (Fluminense), Luizao (Benfica/POR), Kleber (Santos), Marcelo (Real Madrid/ESP)

Midfielders: Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos/GRE), Josue (VfL Wolfsburg/GER), Anderson (Manchester United/ENG), Elano (Manchester City/ENG), Kaka (AC Milan/ITA), Mancini (Inter Milan/ITA), Diego (Werder Bremen/GER), Alex (Internacional)

Attackers: Luis Fabiano (Sevilla/ESP), Alexandre Pato (AC Milan/ITA), Adriano (Inter Milan/ITA), Robinho (Manchester City/ENG)

Ronaldo might be benched against Celtic as Carlos Tevez and Anderson are back in contention after missing Saturday's 4-0 win over West Bromwich Albion.

Paul Scholes, Owen Hargreaves and Michael Carrick miss out of course and they are joined in the stands by Patrice Evra who was taken off with a hamstring injury against West Brom and won't be risked tomorrow night.

He should be OK for Saturday,' Fergie said, referring to Saturday's trip to Goodison Park. The manager also confirmed that he was considering relegating Ronaldo to the bench as he's still not at full fitness and has played a lot of games in recent weeks.

If he won't start then Nani is likely to take his place in the side. Anderson and Carlos Tevez are likely to be handed starts after missing Saturday's win because they arrived back very late from international duty.

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Brazil manager Dunga has recalled AC Milan midfielder Kaka to his squad for next month’s World Cup qualifiers, but the midfielder’s club teammate Ronaldinho has been sensationally dropped.

The move will spark much debate among the nation’s fans, particularly given that the 28-year old has featured in the side’s opening qualifying fixtures.

Manchester United youngster Anderson are joined by another of Milan’s Brazilian contingent, with Alexandre Pato included by Dunga in the 22-man squad.

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Doni (AS Roma). Defenders: Maicon (Inter Milan), Daniel Alves (FC Barcelona), Kleber (Santos), Lucio (Bayern Munich), Alex (Chelsea), Juan (AS Roma), Thiago Silva (Fluminense), Juan Maldonado (Flamengo).

Midfielders: Elano (Manchester City), Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Josue (Wolfsburg), Anderson (Manchester United), Lucas (Liverpool), Julio Baptista (AS Roma), Mancini (Inter Milan), Kaka (AC Milan).

Forwards: Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Alexandre Pato (AC Milan), Robinho (Manchester City), Jo (Manchester City).