, coming back strong after a disappointing post-Olympic year,

Manchester United missed out on signing Renato Sanches from Benfica after showing hesitancy over the potential transfer, sources close to the deal have told Sky Sports News HQ. It is understood Benfica were keen to sell Sanches before Portugal announced their Euro 2016 squad, in case the 18 year-old was not included, fearing his potential omission would have an adverse effect on his transfer value.Sky sources have revealed Sanches would have agreed to join Manchester United if they had come to an agreement with Benfica. Sanches is regarded as the brightest prospect to emerge in Portugal since Cristiano Ronaldo, and he was keen to follow in his compatriots footsteps by moving to Old Trafford. The players agent, Jorge Mendes, was aware of Uniteds interest, and was ready to do a deal with Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward. However, with pressure increasing from Benfica to sell the player before the Portuguese squad announcement, Sky Sports News HQ has been told Mendes was not able to stall other interested clubs long enough while United deliberated over whether or not to make a bid. Renato Sanches, 18, is seen as one of the most promising prospects in football Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich took advantage of Uniteds apparent indecision by agreeing a deal to sign the midfielder for an initial fee of £27.5m (35m euros) earlier this week. The fee could reach in excess of £35m (45m euros) depending on bonuses, including Sanches being named World Player of the Year during his time at Bayern.Manchester United sources reiterated to Sky Sports News HQ that whilst they scouted Sanches extensively, manager Louis Van Gaal did not approve the signing, and the club therefore opted to pursue other targets instead. Who is Renato Sanches? Profile of Renato Sanches of Benfica It remains unclear why Van Gaal vetoed the signing of Sanches, if that was indeed the case. Whilst the transfer fee was relatively high for a player who is still only considered an emerging talent, United demonstrated a willingness to recruit a player in similar circumstances last summer when signing Anthony Martial from Monaco. He was bought for an initial £36m, making him the most expensive teenager in football history.Barcelona were also known to be admirers of Sanches, who only signed a new contract with Benfica in November, which included a release clause of £35m (45m euros). Bayern sign Sanches and Hummels Bayern Munich sign Renato Sanches and Mats Hummels Speaking about the Sanches transfer, Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said: Were pleased weve been able to sign him despite big-name international competition. Renato Sanches is a dynamic, technically-gifted midfielder who is strong in the tackle and will strengthen our squad.Bayern deputy chairman Jan-Christian Dreesen added: The transfer fee for the current international, who was voted the Shooting Star of Portuguese Football in his home country yesterday evening (Monday), is 35m euros, plus possible bonus payments that could become due if for example the player is named in the World Team of the Year or FIFA World Player of the Year. Also See: Who is Renato Sanches? Bayern sign Sanches and Hummels Transfer Centre LVG: United not met targets Bill Laimbeer Jersey . Irving played 10 minutes Sunday night before going to the locker room. He had two points and four assists, missing all five of his shots. The All-Star game MVP is the top scorer among Eastern Conference point guards with 21. Grant Hill Jersey . The Stampeders announced the move on Wednesday. Bell spent his first two CFL seasons with the B. http://www.basketballpistonsauthority.com/ish-smith-pistons-jersey-c-8/ . - Steve Stricker usually doesnt show up at a tournament on Sunday. Grant Long Jersey . - Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte sees the commitment to the handoff and cant help but come away impressed. Stanley Johnson Jersey . -- Jimmie Johnson has a sixth NASCAR championship in hand and two legends within reach.ATHENS, Ga. -- Michael Phelps surged to the wall and quickly searched for the scoreboard. He liked what he saw. Phelps turned in perhaps the most impressive performance so far in his comeback, posting the third-fastest time in the world this year while easily beating rival Ryan Lochte in the 100-meter butterfly at the Bulldog Grand Slam on Friday night. Despite some problems with his turn, Phelps had the packed house roaring when he touched in 51.67 seconds, considerably faster than the 52.11 he posted at the Santa Clara Grand Prix three weeks ago. Lochte was a distant second in 53.08. "I wanted to get under 52," Phelps said, breaking into a big smile. "I was sick and tired of seeing 52.1." He had no trouble finishing ahead of Lochte, though it really wasnt a fair fight. Phelps longtime foe also competed in the 200 freestyle, winning the "B" final less than an hour before he returned to the water to face a rested Phelps. More important for Lochte -- his left knee seemed to hold up well. This is his first meet for the laid-back Floridian since he reinjured the surgically repaired knee at the Mesa Grand Prix in April. It was initially hurt late last year when he tried to catch an exuberant fan and fell into a curb, requiring surgery. "I hope I lose," said Lochte, who plans to swim a grueling six events in Athens. "It will just make me more hungry." Phelps is set to swim three events at the weekend meet on the University of Georgia campus, a hastily arranged event that gave some of the top swimmers on the East Coast a chance to swim one more time competitively before the next months national championships in Irvine, California. The results from nationals, as well as the Pan Pacific Championships being held in Australia later in August, will determine the U.S. team for the 2015 world championships. Phelps seems to be right on course, at least in his signature fly, finishing just 0.46 off the time that won the gold at the 2012 London Olympics. The only faster times this year were Thomas Dals 51.44 in the Belgian Open and Viacheslav Prudnikovs 51.60 at the Russian national championships. "I am very pleased with being able to go 51," Phelps said. "But in the grand scheme of things, I think its just a small steppingstone to go where we hope to be." He is still struggling witth the consistency of his stroke.dddddddddddd When things are going well, Phelps needs 16 strokes to cover the first 50 metres, 18 for the return lap. When hes just a little off, he winds up gliding into the wall too much, either when hes making his flip turn or coming to the finish. "I was kind of bummed that I still cant hit a wall correctly," Phelps said. Added his coach, Bob Bowman, "He looked crazy coming off the wall." All in all, though, no complaints. Phelps, who retired after the last Olympics and stayed away from the pool for more than a year, didnt come back to tarnish his legacy, which includes 18 golds and 22 medals overall -- far more than any other Olympic athlete. "I always set high expectations for myself, no matter what Im doing," he said. "Bob and I have a plan of what I want to do. He knows what its going to take to get there." In other events, French Olympic star Yannick Agnel took the mens 200 freestyle in 1 minute, 47.27 seconds, followed by U.S. Olympians Conor Dywer (1:47.44) and Connor Jaeger (1:47.94). Lochte, swimming in that consolation final, actually posted the fourth-fastest time of the evening at 1:48.69, some 4 seconds faster than he went in the morning preliminaries while wearing a non-racing suit. Allison Schmitt, coming back strong after a disappointing post-Olympic year, won the womens 200 freestyle in 1:58.16. Winner of five medals in London, she struggled a bit with fame and didnt even qualify for the 2013 worlds. Shes back on track with the Rio Games just two years away. "I have more goals that I want to accomplish, which is why Im back," Schmitt said. "Im looking forward to this summer." In the 400 individual medley, Olympic gold medallist Tyler Clary blew away the field in the mens race. His time of 4:21.66 was nearly 4 1/2 seconds ahead of runner-up Kevin Litherland. Melanie Margalis finished first on the womens side. Micah Lawrence touched first in the womens 100 breaststroke, while the mens breaststroke was captured by Nicolas Fink. Seventeen-year-old Kathleen Baker took the womens 100 fly in 59.69, the only swimmer to break the minute barrier. Of course, Phelps drew most of the attention. His main foe was impressed by what he saw. "He swam a fantastic race," Lochte said. "That was really fast." ' ' '