Manchester United are set to revive their interest in Declan Rice after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sent a scout to watch the West Ham star.
The Red Devils are eyeing midfield reinforcements this month, but it is understood a move for Rice would not happen until the summer.
United scout Simon Wells was in attendance at Bramall Lane to watch the England youngster during the Hammers' narrow loss, reports the Daily Mail .
Wells is Solskjaer's go to man when it comes to scouting potential first-team players with midfielders high on his wishlist.
Rice has previously been linked with a switch to Old Trafford and has been an integral part of West Ham's recent upward trajectory under David Moyes and was in the headlines after his handball led to VAR chalking off his side's late equaliser against Sheffield United on Friday night.
The 20-year-old is under contract until 2024, but the Hammers are expecting an approach from United who have made a conscious effort to add homegrown talent.
Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan Bissaka - both new faces acquired by Solskjaer in the summer - fit the profile of player he is trying to sign at Old Trafford.
Rice would fit the same bill. Their new transfer policy has also led to them being interested in Jack Grealish and James Maddison, although the Leicester man does not expect to move in January.
United are likely to move for Sporting Lisbon's Bruno Fernandes however with negations on going between them and the Portuguese club about a switch this month.
The 25-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford in the summer but ended up staying put.
It is understood though that a deal worth up to £60m is nearing closer after United chief Ed Woodward held talks with Fernandes' agent and Sporting representatives in London last week.
