Nani set for employment

Manchester United have moved a step closer to completing their first major signing of the summer.

Portugal winger Nani passed a medical yesterday and now just needs international clearance before joining the Barclays Premiership champions.

United announced last week they had agreed a deal to sign the 20-year-old from Sporting Lisbon.

Following the completion of his medical at Carrington, Nani – who along with Porto midfielder Anderson cost United a total of £30million – was given a tour of Old Trafford.

Another summer signing, England midfielder Owen Hargreaves, will complete his £17m move from Bayern Munich on July 1.

United are in the process of applying for a work permit for Anderson but are not expected to get one initially as the player has not featured for Brazil yet.

Instead, it is expected they will get one on appeal as the 19-year-old has been named in his country’s Copa America squad.

Meanwhile, United goalkeeper Ben Foster faces a long spell on the sidelines as he prepares to undergo knee surgery.

The 24-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Watford, began suffering knee trouble towards the end of the campaign.

He was then assessed by medical staff at England and United in May after he reported for international duty.

A United spokesman said: “Ben Foster has a cruciate ligament injury in his right knee and will require an operation in two to three weeks’ time.”