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Man United consider shock Dominic Calvert-Lewin move as club launch search for new striker after Benjamin Sesko injury blow left them with NO fit centre-forward
Oct 30 2026 10:48 · By Michael Pavitt · 6 Reads
Manchester United are exploring the possibility of a move for Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin as the club looks to strengthen in attack in January.
Daily Mail Sport understands a move is viewed as difficult given the fierce rivalry between the two clubs.
Calvert-Lewin has revitalised his career at Leeds after joining on a free transfer in the summer of 2025, following an injury-plagued end to his time at Everton.
The 29-year-old has scored 20 goals in 49 appearances for Leeds, including five in ten games at the start of this season.
Calvert-Lewin scored against Man United when the two sides played out a 1-1 draw earlier this month.
The forward’s form earned him an England recall during the last international window, ending a five-year absence from the national team set-up.
Man United are exploring a possible move for Leeds United forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Calvert-Lewin netted against the Red Devils in a 1-1 draw between the sides earlier this month
Man United are currently without a recognised striker with Benjamin Sesko on the sidelines
Calvert-Lewin, who has started 38 times in his 43 Premier League appearances for Leeds, is currently contracted until 2028.
Man United are currently operating without a recognised striker with Benjamin Sesko having been ruled out until at least January with a shin injury.
The 23-year-old was struggling with the issue at the beginning of the season and saw his game time carefully managed as the club attempted to nurse him back to full fitness but those efforts now appear to have been in vain.
Sesko has not featured for the club since their defeat by Brighton in the Carabao Cup on September 16, when he was substituted in the 66th minute.
He missed all of pre-season with the complaint, which also plagued him last season and resurfaced against Liverpool in May, causing him to miss the final three Premier League games.
The Slovenian, who pulled out of international duty last month, now looks set to be sidelined until the new year, dealing a major blow to United during a difficult run of form and leaving Michael Carrick without a recognised striker.
Right winger Bryan Mbeumo has been filling in at No9, starting their last five games there in all competitions, with Michael Carrick having lost faith in Dutchman Joshua Zirkzee.
The decades-old rivalry between the clubs was highlighted in the summer when goalkeeper Karl Darlow became the first player to join Man United from Leeds since Alan Smith in 2004.
Leeds refused to mention Man United in a statement confirming Darlow's departure at the end of his contract, with the club writing that he had 'wished to explore a different challenge'.
Eric Cantona and Rio Ferdinand are among the most famous examples of star names to swap Leeds for the Red Devils.
Daniel James moved from Man United to Leeds in a £25million transfer back in 2021, while Cameron Borthwick-Jackson was part of a rare loan deal between the sides in 2017 when Leeds were in the Championship.