Thiago almost a United player

Spanish youngster Thiago Alcantara will sign with Manchester United within the next few days.

The midfielder will put pen-to-paper on a five-year deal with the Premier League champions, with only small details to be agreed.

David Moyes’ men will pay €18m for the 22-year-old, after he failed to play the requisite number of minutes last term to up his release clause to €90m.