Man Utd line up Thiago Silva bid

Manchester United are reportedly lining up a summer bid for AC Milan defender Thiago Silva.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson has had the 27-year-old Brazilian scouted a number of times this season, according to caughtoffside.com.

The Red Devils could offer up to £25m for the man that they see as cover for injury-prone pair Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.

However, they could face opposition from European champions Barcelona, who have also been linked with the centre-back.