Manchester United's chances of signing in-demand Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt are still alive despite their failure to qualify for next season's Champions League, according to a report.

De Ligt has emerged as one of Europe's most coveted players, having led Ajax to the league and cup double - and the semi-finals of the Champions League - at the age of just 19.

Barcelona have long been considered the favourites for his signature, particularly after securing a deal to sign his current Ajax teammate Frenkie de Jong this summer too.

However, Liverpool, Manchester City and Juventus are also thought to be in the running, and The Telegraph now claims that De Ligt is still open to the idea of moving to Old Trafford.

United suffered a torrid Premier League season and would be unable to offer the highly-rated centre-back Champions League football next term, but the idea of being the poster boy for the club's rebuild is thought to appeal to him.

Barcelona are still the frontrunners in the race to sign De Ligt, but there are concerns over whether the Spanish giants would be able to afford both the Dutchman and Antoine Griezmann in the same transfer window.

De Ligt is expected to wait until after next month's Nations League Finals before making a decision on his future.