With reliable Irishman Irwin out of contract in the summer, and hinting that he may end his 11-year association with the Premiership champions, Ferguson is on the look-out for possible replacements.
United are more than aware of the enormous amount of talent available in South America, but Ferguson is still to bring a player from that part of the world to Old Trafford on a permanent contract.
Indeed, The Red Devils watched River Plate starlet Pablo Aimar on a number of occasions, only to decide that his price-tag was too excessive, and he is now set to sign for Valencia on Monday.
Sorin, meanwhile, is an Argentinian who plays in Brazil for Cruzeiro. He almost joined Napoli in the summer, but the deal fell through, and he was also targeted by Valencia.
After an unhappy spell in Italy with Juventus, back in 1995, he may be willing to try his luck in England. Having left Argentinos Juniors as a teenager, he may have been too young to have made a real impact in Europe.
"A transfer to an important European club like Napoli would represent the type of career growth that I would have to consider," he said last year.
The 24-year-old played only four times for Juve before returning to Argentina, with River Plate, but he has worked his way into the international line-up, and is rated at around £3 million.
Sorin has a wealth of experience already, having played in the Mercosur Cup, World Cup qualifiers and the 1999 Copa America. He does not hold an EU passport but would be expected to obtain a work permit due to his international pedigree, grabbing five goals from 25 caps.
United have Mickael Silvestre and Phil Neville who can play left back, but Danny Higginbotham left for Derby some time ago, and, if Irwin leaves, there will be a need to bring in a player to perform in this position.
Separate reports are claiming that United are in the hunt of another Argentinian - Juan Sebastian Veron, the Lazio playmaker.
Gustavo Mascardi is said to be trying to negotiate a move to England for the player, and it is inevitable United`s name will be mentioned because Ferguson has gone on record declaring his admiration for the former Parma star.
Another player that Ferguson has stated his admiration for in the past is Manuel Rui Costa, currently enjoying his best ever form at Fiorentina.
The Portuguese star is reportedly a £20 million target of United, although it would seem in the current climate a bid of this size would be unlikely.
Click here for our story regarding Napoli`s interest in Sorin
