Man Utd chief Murtough has 3-man midfield signing shortlist | OneFootball

Manchester United technical chief John Murtough is targeting a new midfield signing this summer.

The Athletic reports the Old Trafford hierarchy have pinpointed Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham and Amadou Haidara as those who would improve things in the middle of the park.

Of those three, Bellingham is reportedly the first-choice target. Bellingham came close to joining United 18 months but chose Borussia Dortmund instead.

Rice has demonstrated his defensive qualities for several seasons now but the 23-year-old has shown he can go forward too following a tweak to his role at West Ham this season.

Meanwhile, interim manager Ralf Rangnick would support a move for RB Leipzig's Haidara, 23, during the current transfer window but United are reticent to push for those type of deals this month in recent years - bar signing Bruno Fernandes in 2020.

Haidara is currently away too at the Africa Cup of Nations with Mali.