Have Manchester United actually signed William Carvalho?

Is it really true?

Google might well be the most-popular and most-used search engine in the entire world, but it has shown that even that cannot stop it from making a few mistakes here and there. Because, if you believe Google, Manchester United have already signed Sporting Lisbon’s promising holding midfielder William Carvalho.

Don’t believe me? Try it out for yourself. All you have to do is type “Manchester united squad” or some version of it on Google and you will find William Carvalho’s name and photo sandwiched between Ashley Young and Chris Smalling. And whilst it is true that United have been strongly linked with the Portuguese international over the past few months, nothing concrete has emerged as yet.

Does Google know something that the rest of the world is unaware of ? Unlikely, but there have been contrasting reports from various corners as to whether the talented holding midfielder has struck a deal with the Red Devils or not. Whilst some claim that Carvalho has become the club’s first big summer signing, others say that any deal will only take place after the World Cup comes to an end.

Carvalho’s recent strong performances have led him to be dubbed by some as the “new Patrick Vieira”, and the 21-year-old has thus far at least lived up to his billing at Sporting Lisbon. With midfield an area of concern for Moyes, the Angola-born Portuguese international would certainly be a welcome addition to the squad.

But, with a release clause reported to be £37 million, one might wonder whether, at just 21, Carvalho will prove be worthy of such a high asking price. Whilst United do have great memories of signing talent young players from Lisbon, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani both having been seen signed from the same club in the not-so distant past, it remains to be seen if they will repeat that with Carvalho.

And whether their latest target can reach similar heights at the Theatre of Dreams or not, it certainly looks as though Google has certainly jumped the gun on the transfer. Even if it looks as though Google might be proven right in the long run, for now at least, it has merely demonstrated that even the mightiest can be misinformed.

Or, maybe just maybe, it is a trick on the part of Google, to give the millions of Manchester United fans all over the world, something to shout about, in this otherwise dismal season. Who knows, maybe even Google is a Manchester United supporter.