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Manchester United are exploring the possibility of a move for Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin as the club looks to strengthen in attack in January.
Daily Mail Sport understands a move is viewed as difficult given the fierce rivalry between the two clubs.
Calvert-Lewin has revitalised his career at Leeds after joining on a free transfer in the summer of 2025, following an injury-plagued end to his time at Everton.
The 29-year-old has scored 20 goals in 49 appearances for Leeds, including five in ten games at the start of this season.
Calvert-Lewin scored against Man United when the two sides played out a 1-1 draw earlier this month.
The forward’s form earned him an England recall during the last international window, ending a five-year absence from the national team set-up.
Calvert-Lewin, who has started 38 times in his 43 Premier League appearances for Leeds, is currently contracted until 2028.
Man United are currently operating without a recognised striker with Benjamin Sesko having been ruled out until at least January with a shin injury.
The 23-year-old was struggling with the issue at the beginning of the season and saw his game time carefully managed as the club attempted to nurse him back to full fitness but those efforts now appear to have been in vain.
Sesko has not featured for the club since their defeat by Brighton in the Carabao Cup on September 16, when he was substituted in the 66th minute.
He missed all of pre-season with the complaint, which also plagued him last season and resurfaced against Liverpool in May, causing him to miss the final three Premier League games.
The Slovenian, who pulled out of international duty last month, now looks set to be sidelined until the new year, dealing a major blow to United during a difficult run of form and leaving Michael Carrick without a recognised striker.
Eric Cantona - November 1992
Cantona's move to Man United was credited as one of Sir Alex Ferguson's most successful moves, with the Frenchman helping to transform his side into title winners.
The maverick star had seen his relationship break down with Leeds boss Howard Wilkinson leading to speculation over a departure.
Leeds chairman Bill Fotherby called his Man United counterpart Martin Edwards to enquire about signing Denis Irwin. After the suggestion was rebuffed by Edwards, Ferguson then asked about Cantona’s availability with a £1.2m deal then being struck.
While initially seen as a risky move, Cantona helped inspire Man United to a first title in 26 years. The Frenchman was part of four title winning sides at Old Trafford and won two FA Cups.
Rio Ferdinand - July 2002
Ferdinand became the most expensive British footballer in history when he completed a £30m move in 2002 after two seasons at Leeds. Ferdinand has claimed he sat in the office of Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale for six hours to force through the transfer.
The deal came amid growing concerns over Leeds financial situation, which was referenced by Sir Alex Ferguson when the transfer was completed.
‘A transfer like this has to be difficult. Leeds are a big club and our fiercest rivals, and he had four years left on his contract,’ Ferguson said. ‘We were hopeful because of Leeds' financial position. I think Peter Ridsdale has admitted that. Most importantly, Rio wanted to come here and this contributed to the deal.’
Ferdinand would go on to win six Premier League titles, the Champions League and two League Cups during his time with the Red Devils.
Alan Smith - May 2004
Life-long Leeds fan Smith moved to Old Trafford in a deal worth £7million, with Danny Pugh going the opposite way.
Smith opted to make the move following Leeds relegation to the Championship, which had left him in tears on the final day of the season. Smith's move angered Leeds fans having previously declared he would never play for Man United.
The move, however, had helped Leeds amid the club's financial turmoil with Smith also waving a fee that was owed to him.
Sir Alex Ferguson hailed Smith, stating 'I have never been more impressed with a young player, his desire to play for Manchester United is fantastic'.
Smith career at Man United was heavily impacted by a broken leg and dislocated ankle he suffered in an FA Cup tie against Liverpool. He ultimately played 93 times for Man United, scoring 12 times, before moving to Newcastle.
Karl Darlow - July 2026
Darlow is the most recent player to move between the two clubs, with the goalkeeper rejected a new deal at Leeds in favour of a move to Old Trafford.
He had been Leeds first choice goalkeeper for much of last season but is now back-up to Senne Lammens at United. Darlow made his debut in Man United's Carabao Cup defeat by Brighton.
When his summer move was confirmed, Leeds issued a 309-word statement but declined to name where Darlow had moved, instead stating he 'wished to explore a different challenge'.
Right winger Bryan Mbeumo has been filling in at No9, starting their last five games there in all competitions, with Michael Carrick having lost faith in Dutchman Joshua Zirkzee.
The decades-old rivalry between the clubs was highlighted in the summer when goalkeeper Karl Darlow became the first player to join Man United from Leeds since Alan Smith in 2004.
Leeds refused to mention Man United in a statement confirming Darlow's departure at the end of his contract, with the club writing that he had 'wished to explore a different challenge'.
Eric Cantona and Rio Ferdinand are among the most famous examples of star names to swap Leeds for the Red Devils.
Daniel James moved from Man United to Leeds in a £25million transfer back in 2021, while Cameron Borthwick-Jackson was part of a rare loan deal between the sides in 2017 when Leeds were in the Championship.
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