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Manchester United and Barcelona are among the top clubs in Europe tracking Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti, according to the player's agent. 

The 20-year-old moved to the Paris club last summer from Pescara, though he has been heavily linked with a move back to Serie A in recent weeks. 

The highly-rated youngster, who is already a full Italy international, has admitted that he would like to join Juventus one day. However, his agent, Donato Di Campli, has revealed that United and Barca are looking to sign the player. 

"I have been contacted by many clubs," Di Campli told Le 10 Sport. 

Sir Alex Ferguson has insisted that he never considered taking off Rafael da Silva during Manchester United's clash with Real Madrid on Wednesday evening. 

The Brazilian full-back appeared to struggle during the opening 45 minutes in the Bernabeu and was eventually booked for a foul that he committed on Mesut Ozil. 

However, he responded in the second half with a much stronger performance and Ferguson has admitted that he never doubted the 22-year-old's ability. 

"Obviously Rafa had a trying first half but he coped well in the second half. He calmed down," Ferguson told MUTV. "He's a very impetuous boy. He's enthusiastic and wants to win every ball and, of course, he committed himself far too early on a lot of occasions. 

VVV Venlo gave their Eredivisie survival hopes a boost on Friday with a gritty 2-1 win on the road at NEC Nijmegen.

The win, just Venlo's fourth of the season and first in seven league games, came after the visitors found themselves in familiar territory when Nick van der Velden put NEC ahead after just six minutes at Goffertstadion.

Uche Nwofor produced a prompt reply, however, collecting Barry Maguire's pass to slot home an equaliser just five minutes later.

Ton Lokhoff's side had to wait until the 72nd minute to snare the winner, which came via Dutch midfielder Bryan Linssen following another Maguire assist.

A Gabriel Paletta own-goal and Mario Balotelli free-kick gave AC Milan a 2-1 win over Parma in a hard-fought Serie A encounter on Friday.

Parma defender Paletta inadvertently turned Kevin-Prince Boateng's cross past goalkeeper Nicola Pavarini five minutes before the end of the first half before Balotelli fired a free-kick into goal to earn all three points for the hosts, who conceded a late consolation from Nicola Sansone.

Milan enjoyed the better of the early possession as Kevin Constant broke through the Parma midfield and played in Balotelli, but the Italian striker saw his effort deflected behind for a corner.