Report: Manchester United stepping up interest in Lewis Cook of Leeds

Manchester United is reportedly target one of the United Kingdom's best young talents.

According to ESPN, United is stepping up its interest in Lewis Cook, an 18-year-old who features at Leeds United, and has been dubbed as "the next Paul Scholes." He is apparently also on the radars of Premier League giants, including Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Liverpool, but the Red Devils are planning to "steal a march" on their rivals in the battle to sign the youngster.

Cook made 37 Championship appearances last season and was subsequently named Championship Apprentice of the Year at the Football League awards. He has made 13 league appearances this season as Leeds sits 15th in the table with 19 points from 16 matchdays.

Leeds is allegedly keen to avoid losing Cook, who put pen to paper on a new contract in the summer, but the club is prepared for obvious interest.