[funkdoctorspock]

Thats right United. Keep unsettling him, thereby driving up his price and pissing off Sporting even more.

CRISTIANO Ronaldo has championed the quality of United target Miguel Veloso.

But the Reds are in trouble with Sporting Lisbon for going public with their interest in the 21-year-old Portuguese anchor man.

Sir Alex Ferguson's number two Carlos Queiroz admitted that Veloso was on Old Trafford's radar - but added that the player wasn't a priority.

But Sporting chairman Soares Franco hit out at Queiroz after United had beaten his side 2-1 in the Champions League.

Reprehensible

"It was ethically highly reprehensible," said Franco. "I was disappointed that Carlos Queiroz would talk directly about Miguel Veloso."

However, Lisbon coach Paulo Bento knows his club, who have already lost Ronaldo and Nani to the Reds for a combined fee of £30m, face a losing battle to hold onto Veloso, who is also interesting Real Madrid.

Ronaldo believes Veloso has the attributes to make it in one of Europe's big outfits.

"I don't know anything about us trying to sign Veloso but he is a great player," he says.

United's ex-Porto midfielder Anderson also paid tribute to Veloso.

"Miguel is a great player, everybody knows this. If he came to United he would be well received," says the Brazilian.

Veloso himself says he couldn't refuse a move to the Premiership if one arose.

"If a great offer came from England it would be impossible to turn it down, but for now my head is 100 per cent focussed on Sporting.

"Yet I'm not going to hide the fact that playing alongside Cristiano and Nani is one of my dreams."
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