Manchester United have joined AC Milan and Bayern Munich as admirers of highly-rated Basel midfielder Grant Xhaka.

 

Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson was hugely impressed with the 19-year-old’s performance in Basel’s 2-1 win over Manchester United in the Champions League at St. Jakob Park before Christmas, a result which sent the English champions tumbling out of the competition.

 

Yet being drawn in the same group as Basel afforded Ferguson an opportunity to take a look at Xhaka at close quarters.

 

The 70-year-old has now joined Italian giants AC Milan and German powerhouses Bayern Munich in keeping tabs on the talented midfielder.

 

Xhaka has been in fine form for Basel this season and helped caretaker coach Heiko Vogel earn the job on a permanent basis with an impressive Champions League run and top spot in the Swiss Super League as 2012 dawned in the country’s football.

 

The Switzerland international started his career in the youth ranks of Concordia Basel before switching to FC Basel in 2002.

 

He made the breakthrough to the club’s senior team in 2010 and was capped by Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld one year later.

 

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