Leeds United have made contact over signing a Brighton player who Man United were targeting last summer, according to reports.
Leeds battle Man United in crucial Premier League showdown
Leeds head into what could scarcely be a more testing away game at Old Trafford in the final game of the weekend.
A general view of Old Trafford during the Premier League match Manchester United vs Fulham
They travel to a ground where they have not won a league game in over 45 years, and are missing the likes of Anton Stach, Joe Rodon and Dan James through injury.
The circumstances paint a picture of a side grinding through the back end of a difficult season.
Leeds sit just three points above the relegation zone, have not found the net in their last four league outings and have won once on the road all campaign.
The Whites also haven't won a Premier League game at all since their 3-1 win at home to relegation rivals Nottingham Forest in February.
Leeds United's final Premier League games in relegation run-in Date
Man United (away) April 13
Wolves (home) April 18
Bournemouth (away) April 22
Burnley (home) May 1
Tottenham (away) May 11
Brighton (home) May 17
West Ham (away) May 24
The FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea later this month offers a different kind of occasion, but the table demands that league points take precedence over everything else right now.
farke-leeds Related
Leeds now ready to sell player at any price after ruthless Daniel Farke decision
The manager has called time.
Man United, with Harry Maguire suspended but Lisandro Martínez returning from injury, are pursuing Champions League qualification under Michael Carrick and have lost just two of their last eight in the Premier League.
Getting a win in Manchester would represent one of the more significant moments of Daniel Farke's tenure, especially given their rivalry, but behind-the-scenes, planning for next season continues.
One particular transfer thread has emerged that gives some indication of where Leeds' recruitment thinking is heading, regardless of the division they're in next term.
Leeds make approach for Brighton keeper Carl Rushworth
According to TEAMtalk's Graeme Bailey, Leeds are among the clubs to have made contact over signing Carl Rushworth, the Brighton goalkeeper who has spent this season excelling on loan at Coventry City.
carl-rushworth-coventry-brighton-premier-league
Man United were said to be among those who assessed a move for him last summer, but Leeds' approach suggests they're now very keen as well.
The 24-year-old's performances at Coventry have been exceptional by any measure.
He went 613 consecutive minutes without conceding at one stage, setting a Coventry club record, and the underlying data is equally impressive given Rushworth has conceded significantly fewer goals than the expected figure based on the quality of shots faced.
Coventry are on course to win the Championship title and return to the Premier League, and Rushworth has been central to that.
It is because of this that Brighton have no intention of letting him go as things stand.
TEAMtalk also report that the south-coast club want to extend Rushworth's contract and position him as the natural replacement for Bart Verbruggen, who is expected to leave this summer with Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Tottenham among his admirers.
bart-verbruggen-brighton
The plan, from Brighton's perspective, is clear — Verbruggen departs, Rushworth steps in and the succession is managed without needing to go to the market.
There is a complication that Leeds could capitalise on, though.
Rushworth has made it clear he will only put pen to paper on a new long-term deal if he receives a guarantee of regular first-team football, and is not prepared to sign as a backup option.
Whether Brighton can give him that assurance depends almost entirely on Verbruggen's departure.
For Leeds, the chain of events required for Rushworth to become available is a long one. Brighton are not selling willingly, Coventry would prefer to make the deal permanent if promotion is secured, and Rushworth himself has conditions.
chris-wood-leeds Related
£10m star was becoming the new Chris Wood, now he looks finished at Leeds
For some Leeds United players, transitioning from the Championship to the Premier League has been far from easy.