Benfica make United a formal approach for Sir Alex's assistant Carlos Queiroz

13 April 2012

Benfica have made a formal offer to poach Manchester United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz, it emerged this morning.

Reports in the Portuguese press claim that the Lisbon-based club have identified Sir Alex Ferguson's No 2 as their number one target to be coach next season.

Queiroz enjoys greater fame than most Premier League No 2s due to his regular post-match interviews on Match of the Day. United boss Sir Alex refuses to speak to the BBC because of a row over coverage of his agent son Jason.

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Right-hand man: Carlos Queiroz (left) with his Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson

Benfica - the biggest club in Portugal - have given Queiroz two weeks to reply to their offer.

It is understood that United would not stand in Queiroz's way if he wanted to try his hand as a manager again but it is not known if the former Portugal Under 21 coach is ready to quit Old Trafford. It is likely that Ferguson himself will pass comment on the issue at his weekly press conference at today.

Queiroz, considered as a potential replacement for Sir Alex when the Scot eventually retires, has left Old Trafford once before, to become manager of Real Madrid in 2003.

But he returned after being sacked a year later.

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