Moutinho not set for Man United

With Luka Modric looking likely to complete a move from Tottenham Hotspur to Real Madrid, United has been heavily linked with Moutinho, a central figure in Portugal's run to the EURO 2012 semi-finals.

It has even been said the Old Trafford outfit has offered £20 million ($30.33 million) for the 25-year-old.

However, despite claiming last week that he was still hopeful of adding to his squad ahead of the new Premier League season, Press Association Sport understands Moutinho is not on Ferguson's wanted list.

The United boss has already signed one attacking midfielder this northern summer in the form of Japan international Shinji Kagawa, with another, Nick Powell, signed from Crewe Alexandra with an eye to the future.

Even the exit of Park Ji-sung to Queens Park Rangers is not viewed as making space for Moutinho and, with doubts remaining over the career of Darren Fletcher, it would appear a more defensive-type player is required if Ferguson feels his midfield still requires strengthening.

However, as Ferguson has also said in the past that any deals that are not completed in the early weeks of the northern summer tend to drag on until the latter stages, it could well be there are no further additions when United heads to South Africa on 23 July for the first leg of its lengthy pre-season tour.

In addition to matches in Durban and Cape Town, United will also visit China, before returning to Europe and matches in Norway, Sweden and Germany before it opens its quest to reclaim the Premier League title from Manchester City with a visit to Everton on 20 August.