Manchester United have opened talks to sign Lucas Moura. (Getty Images)

Manchester United have opened talks to sign Lucas Moura from Paris Saint-Germain, according to reports.

Sport Witness claim that landing Willian from Chelsea is Jose Mourinho’s preferred option, but due to the difficulty of the transfer, the United boss is also lining up his fellow Brazil international as an alternative.

Only initial negotiations have begun, but Mourinho is keen to have the majority of his key signings in place by the time United’s pre-season starts, and improving his right flank is one area that has been targeted.

Moura has been a regular under Unai Emery this season and finished the campaign with 12 goals and five assists in 37 Ligue 1 appearances.

Moura is viewed by Mourinho as an alternative to Willian. (AFP/Getty Images)
Sir Alex Ferguson missed out on signing Lucas Moura in 2012. (AFP/Getty Images)

The 24-year-old was close to joining United in 2012 but he rejected the chance to join Sir Alex Ferguson and moved to PSG instead.

At the time, Fergie described PSG’s €45 million deal for Moura, who was only 19 at the time, as ‘mad’.

‘I find it quite amazing that a club can pay €45 million for a 19-year-old boy,’ the Scot said five years ago.

‘When somebody’s paying €45 million for a 19-year-old boy you have to say the game’s gone mad.’

MORE : Burnley star Michael Keane tells friends Manchester United is his most likely destination

MORE : Willian commits future to Chelsea amid £32million Manchester United transfer links