Manchester United 'keeping tabs on Palmeiras youngster Luis Guilherme'

Manchester United are allegedly monitoring the development of Brazilian youngsters Luis Guilherme and Lorran.

The Red Devils have endured a disappointing start to the new season, losing six of their opening 10 matches in the Premier League and Champions League.

Only a remarkable last-gasp turnaround prevented a defeat to Brentford at the weekend, and it has already been suggested that head coach Erik ten Hag wants to sign new players in January.

A centre-back, central midfielder and winger are expected to be regarded as priorities, particularly the first and third of those positions.

However, with some of United's squad the wrong side of 30, a certain level of focus must also be placed on lowering the average of the current crop.

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According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, United have identified Guilherme and Lorran as potential stars of the future.

While midfielder Guilherme will not turn 18 until February, he has already made 15 appearances for Palmeiras in the Brazilian top flight.

Although just four of those outings have come from the starting lineup, the teenager has played 23 times in total, leaving his club eager to extend his contract past the end of 2025.

Meanwhile, Lorran - who plies his trade for Flamengo - is also 17 years of age and has a contract until the end of 2025.

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His development at the Maracana has been largely spent in the youth ranks, the prospect not featuring in a single senior match this season.

Nevertheless, he caught the attention of Premier League clubs courtesy of netting twice for Brazil Under-17s in a recent encounter with England.

Reports in Spain claim that each player possesses a huge release clause, Guilherme's set at £52m and Lorran available for £43m.

That would effectively leave United officials needing to negotiate a deal with either club, with the likelihood being that they have no intention of meeting either buy-out option.