However, the link with current United assistant boss and former Sporting coach Carlos Quieroz has helped smooth the discussions

The deal is likely to be confirmed in the next few weeks and will be sealed by the Old Trafford outfit travelling to Portugal to play the opening match at Sporting’s impressive new home, which will host the final of next summer’s European Championships, on August 6.

Long-term, United will hope to use the link to tap into the Brazilian market, in much the same way as their tie-up with Belgian side Royal Antwerp has allowed them to monitor the progress of African players because of the country’s different work permit legislation.

In practice, Antwerp has been used as a finishing school by the Red Devils, with players such as Luke Chadwick and John O’Shea spending time with the club to gain valuable experience in a competitive league environment.

There could also be an immediate spin-off from their latest venture though, with highly-rated teenage duo Ricardo Quaresma and Cristiano Ronaldo both in line for a move to Old Trafford should Sir Alex Ferguson pursue his initial interest.

Speculation linking Quaresma in particular with a switch has been rife.

The 18-year-old winger is rated in the £12million bracket by his club, although United would not have to pay anything like that amount to secure his services, and today’s revelations mean the new Barclaycard Premiership champions would get first refusal if he were to leave, dashing Juventus’ hopes of landing the player.

Also on the cards, but slightly further away from completion, is another deal with French club Nantes, which would fill another sizeable hole in United’s expanding empire.

Closer to home, Welsh club Connah’s Quay are also to come under the Old Trafford umbrella, providing a useful stop-off point for talented youngsters in the Principality.

Although the moves are bound to be criticised in some quarters, United feel they have been left with little choice as they try to overcome the Football Association rule which prevents schoolboys from training with a club more than 90 miles away from their home.

Ferguson believes this regulation works against the big clubs because they are denied the chance of signing United fans in outlying areas.

It did not, however, prevent them winning the Youth Cup for a record ninth time earlier this month, Brian McClair’s side including a host of youngsters from outside the 90-mile zone, including star man Kieron Richardson, who have relocated to Manchester with their families.