Manchester United have reportedly stepped up their pursuit of Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

The Premier League champions were previously linked with a swoop for the former Arsenal captain, but interest was believed to have cooled when the 26-year-old insisted that he had no plans to leave Camp Nou.

Following United's failure to sign Thiago Alcantara, who secured a transfer to Bayern Munich yesterday, the club are poised to make an inquiry over Fabregas, according to the London Evening Standard.

United manager David Moyes has publicly claimed that his priority is to strengthen the team's midfield.