Manchester United have not been tracking RB Salzburg winger Takumi Minamino, who now appears on the verge of a move to Liverpool, contrary to reports.
It emerged via several media sources on Thursday morning that Minamino — who greatly impressed in Salzburg's 2-0 defeat to Liverpool this week in their Champions League group stage finale — is on the brink of a £7.25million move to Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp's side appear close to getting their man in January, though it was reported that the Premier League leaders were "stealing a march" on United in the race for Minamino.
MEN Sport understands that is not the case and Minamino has never been a priority target for United.
Much more likely seems a United move for Minamino's current teammate Erling Haaland, who has been linked to several of Europe's biggest clubs and has worked with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the past, at Norwegian club Molde. United head of global scouting Marcel Bout watched Haaland against Liverpool on Tuesday night.
United are also keen on high profile English duo Jadon Sancho and James Maddison, whose form for Borussia Dortmund and Leicester City respectively has seen them move into Gareth Southgate's Three Lions' plans in recent months. United want to improve the striker, right-wing and central midfield positions and concerning the latter have been keen on Declan Rice and Sean Longstaff.
Solskjaer has hinted that United could make two, one or even no January transfers at all, with the window opening on the first day of 2020.
"It might be none, might be one, might be two in January, but it's always the summer window that's the big one and you can't do too many good deals in January."
Minamino, 24, has scored seven goals for Salzburg this season and could thrive upon a move to the Premier League.
But United, it is understood, have never been in the running to sign the Japanese international.
