The exodus from Barcelona following Pep Guardiola's announcement that he's set to leave the Catalan club will be kick-started with the departure of full-back Dani Alves, according to The Daily Mail.

After Guardiola was understood to have become exacerbated with his defensive indiscipline, Tito Vilanova could take a similar line, having been the Spaniard's right-hand man for the past four years.

And reports are suggesting Manchester United will launch an audacious bid for the full-back, with their own defensive options having been stretched this season.

Injuries to Rio Ferdinand, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Rafael da Silva and Nemanja Vidic, who has been out since December, has stretched United's defensive resources this term.

In addition, the club have been devoid of a permanent option at right-back, with Rafael, whose positional sense has often been called into question, currently preferred.

Dani Alves
Alves could move to United.

Along with United's interest, Alves must also field bids from Russian bid spenders Anzhi Makhackala, who have also been linked with his services.

A potential stumbling block in a deal to bring him to Old Trafford is Alves' age of 28, which is over the threshold which United constantly keep to in their transfer deadlings.

The club's policy of not signing players over the age of 26, for money, hasn't been broken since the acquisition of Dimitar Berbatov in 2008.

The Brazil international joined Barca for £23 million in 2008 from Sevilla and has since won three La Liga titles, two European Cups and two World Club Cups during his four-year career at the Nou Camp.

Alves has 55 caps for Brazil having also appeared at the 2010 World Cup.

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