Benfica pair Joao Filipe and Joao Virginia go on trial at Manchester United

Highly-rated pair undertaking a trial at Carrington

Manchester United have handed trials to Benfica pair Joao Filipe and Joao Virginia, according to reports.

United beat a host of other Premier League clubs who were all interested in the two talented Portuguese players.

Both players are just 15 but are already being talked up as future stars and arrived at Carrington on Tuesday to be looked at by United's coaching staff.

Filipe has drawn comparison's with the world's best player, Cristiano Ronaldo, while Virginia is a goalkeeper - the pair are considered two of the best players to emerge from Portugal in recent years.

Because the players are under 16 Benfica have not been able to sign them to long contracts and are facing competition for their signature from clubs across Europe.

Manchester United appear to be in the lead for their signatures, but Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea are all in the running.