Lucas Moura would be a better signing for Manchester United than Van Persie, say Goal.com readers

The Sao Paulo attacking midfielder has been linked with a move to Old Trafford and the Red Devils are ready to make a second bid of £32 million for the 19-year-old Brazilian

Manchester United should focus their attention on capturing Sao Paulo's Lucas Moura, according to Goal.com readers.

The Brazilian club rejected the Red Devils' initial bid of £27.2 million, but Goal.com exclusively revealed that United are ready to make a second bid of £32m which they believe will secure the attacking midfielder's services.

Lucas is a part of the Brazilian Olympic team that will compete at London 2012 and has been identified by Sir Alex Ferguson as an ideal candidate to bolster United's midfield.

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It is believed that the £32m which the club had set aside for Eden Hazard before the Belgian opted to sign for Chelsea can be used to sign the starlet, with United not willing to go any higher.

The majority of readers feel that the playmaker position is where Sir Alex Ferguson must strengthen most urgently, with 45.29 per cent of voters stating that they believe Lucas would be the best signing for the club.

Following the Brazilian is Real Madrid's Turkish midfielder, Nuri Sahin who, after a couple of highly impressive seasons with German side Borussia Dortmund, has failed to break into Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid side after a move last summer. 30.46% of readers think that United should offer the deep-lying playmaker a route out of Madrid.

Arsenal's contract rebel, Robin van Persie, was much less favoured with only 13.34%. A forward line already containing Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck and Chicharito, among others, may not be a priority for United as they look to regain their Premier League crown.

Finally, readers' votes suggest that they feel that Patrice Evra is still good enough to warrant a place in Sir Alex's side as Everton left-back Leighton Baines only received 10.92% of the tally.

United fan Sibonsiwe commented that the club should invest in young players: "Sahin and Lucas should be Ferguson's primary targets, I don't think Van Persie is needed. [Paul] Scholes, [Ryan] Giggs and [Michael] Carrick are old, we need youngsters for the future."

However, Vaibhav disagreed: "Just someone to replace Evra, he has been our weakest link."