Leeds would not jeopardise current optimism by selling Clarke to Manchester United

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Manchester United are among a host of Premier League clubs battling to sign Leeds United’s teenage winger Jack Clarke this month, according to the Sun.

They report that United want to throw a major spanner in the works of their bitter rivals’ promotion push by snaring Clarke away from Elland Road.

United are not the only club on Clarke’s tail, with Tottenham, Manchester City, Crystal Palace and Southampton all named as potential suitors.

But Clarke is a local boy and the report says that his loyalty to his family means he wants to stay at Elland Road and would be willing to shun United.

In any case, Leeds simply could not afford to allow such a popular young player depart to join one of their most historic rivals as the club stands on the verge of their long-awaited return to the Premier League.

It would puncture the optimism around the club right now. Leeds fans obviously wouldn’t want him to leave at all, but they could stomach him going to a different club instead of United.

The good news is that Clarke remains grounded and reportedly wants his Premier League bow to come with Leeds – meaning that the nightmare scenario of him wearing United red is not on the cards just yet.