Man United and Newcastle interested in Ligue 1 star

Manchester United will be hoping to resurrect their Champions League hopes when they face Danish side FC Copenhagen on Wednesday. 

The Red Devils lost their opening two group stage games – against Bayern Munich and Galatasaray respectively – and were somewhat fortunate to get the better of Copenhagen during their most recent European game.

Erik ten Hag’s side sit third in the Group A midway through the group stage, and they will likely need to win on Wednesday to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the knockout phase.

In the meantime, United are reportedly interested in a Ligue 1 star.

According to Football Insider, both Man United and Newcastle United are interested in Lyon forward Rayan Cherki.

The 20-year-old has impressed over the past few seasons, making 112 appearances across all competitions for his boyhood club.

Cherki has impressed for Lyon over the past 12 months

During that time he has scored 14 goals and provided 17 assists, but his impressive performances haven’t gone unnoticed and he has attracted interest from both United and the Magpies.

He has, however, struggled during the current campaign, with Lyon sitting bottom of the Ligue 1 table at present.

Cherki has failed to score in any of his ten league matches and has only provided a single assist.

The player’s current contract is set to expire in 2025 and, with that in mind, both Premier League clubs are reportedly keeping tabs on him with a view to potentially making a move next summer.

Cherki, who is capable of playing on either flank or in an advanced midfield role, has been capped 18 times by France at under-21 level.

United spent big over the summer, with Mason Mount, Rasmus Hojlund and Andre Onana amongst those to arrive at Old Trafford.

Despite that, it appears that those in charge of the club are continuing to search for potential new targets.