Escude set for Old Trafford

Manchester United expect to sign £5m (€7.95m)-rated French defender Julien Escude by the weekend, says the Daily Star.

United officials are set to meet with Rennes director Pierre Dreossi on Friday to complete a deal for the left-back.

The paper quotes Dreossi as saying: "It's true Manchester United are interested in Escude. We are planning a meeting with them before the end of the week."

If the deal falls through, United may turn to Argentina World Cup star Juan Pablo Sorin, who has also attracted interest from Leeds.