Leeds United set to sign one teenage Manchester United target – and want to sign another in January

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Manchester United are unlikely to be busy in the January transfer window but will continue to eye up potential stars of the future.

Ruben Amorim is settling into life at Manchester United and now has a first Manchester derby victory under his belt.

United came from a goal down to beat Manchester City on Sunday afternoon, handing Amorim a hugely important victory.

There is still a long, long way for United to go though and Amorim will know that he needs additions in 2025.

January signings are unlikely after United spent more than £180million on new signings over the summer.

United will though look at players with huge potential having signed the likes of James Overy, Samuel Lusale, Sekou Kone and Chido Obi over the summer.

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Leeds United rival Manchester United for Sporting star

United continue to be linked with potential signings and a host of Sporting players have been linked after Amorim’s arrival.

Amorim allegedly wants striker Viktor Gyokeres whilst Sporting playmaker Francisco Trincao is on the United radar.

Another name emerged in November with United keen on Sporting-owned Dario Essugo.

Essugo is currently out on loan at Las Palmas but Amorim handed him his first-team debut at Sporting.

A reunion at United has been suggested but surprise competition may have arrived in this transfer race.

The Sun’s Alan Nixon reports that Leeds United are planning a January move to sign Essugo.

It’s suggested that Leeds want to break Essugo’s loan spell at Las Palmas and secure a loan-to-buy deal for the teenage midfielder.

Sporting would allegedly demand just £6million for a permanent deal in the summer.

That price would be fairly low-risk for United but whether Amorim really regards Essugo as a priority signing is unclear.

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Manchester United target set for Leeds move

Any Leeds move for Essugo will be complicated due to his loan spell in La Liga.

Leeds may struggle to get that deal done but are close to signing one other United target.

Nixon adds that Leeds are set to sign Australian goalkeeper Robbie Cook after he impressed on trial.

Reports over the summer highlighted United’s interest in Perth Glory’s Cook having invited him for a trial.

The 17-year-old could have joined fellow former Perth Glory talent James Overy at Old Trafford but now looks set to join Leeds instead.

Ineos want to bring top young talents to United and we could see more teenagers on the radar ahead of the January window.