Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Mike Phelan reportedly both travelled to scout Bruno Fernandes ahead of Manchester United completing a deal for the Sporting Lisbon midfielder this month.
Widespread reports claim that United and Sporting are close to agreeing a deal worth around £60m for the Portuguese midfielder.
Sporting chiefs Frederico Varandas and Hugo Viana are said to have arrived in England to hold talks with vice-chairman Ed Woodward over the move.
According to the Evening Standard, Solskjaer and Phelan both went to watch Fernandes personally earlier this month ahead of the club making a bid.
The Norwegian is very keen to bring in another midfielder over January amid injuries to Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay.
Despite signing a long-term deal at Sporting over the summer, Fernandes is said to be 'desperate' to complete a move to Old Trafford.
