Ipswich Town, Leicester City, Charlton Athletic & Derby County among Championship sides plotting Man Utd swoop | OneFootball

A large number of EFL clubs are eyeing up moves for some of Manchester United's talent.

Leicester City, Ipswich Town, Derby County and Charlton Athletic are among a host of Championship clubs eyeing up moves for a number of Manchester United players in the January transfer window.

The 2025/26 second tier campaign is in full swing and as we approach a quarter distance in the season, teams are starting to establish themselves and providing hints as to where they may be competing come May.

Coventry City and Middlesbrough have emerged as early favourites to compete for the title, with the likes of Millwall, Bristol City and Stoke City all looking good bets for a play-off push.

The three relegated sides from the Premier League have struggled immensely, with neither Leicester City, Ipswich Town nor Southampton in the top nine after 12 matches, or 11 outings in the Tractor Boys’ case, due to their abandoned clash against Blackburn.

Promoted outfits Birmingham City and Wrexham spent big in the transfer market but have failed to deliver on their promise, occupying 15th and 16th respectively at this moment in time.

As the January transfer window edges ever closer, a number of second-tier sides are already plotting some business which could give them an edge for the rest of the term.

Ipswich Town, Leicester City, Charlton Athletic & Derby County all eyeing up Manchester United swoops

Getting an early march on your rivals is crucial to success in any transfer window, which is why a host of Championship clubs are already reportedly plotting moves.

According to journalist Alan Nixon via his Patreon channel, a selection of Manchester United’s youth players are attracting interest from the second tier.

Scouts from 23 sides are believed to have gone and watched the Red Devils’ Under-21s in the EFL Trophy against Barnsley, with a keen eye on some of their talent.

Jack and Tyler Fletcher, sons of former United star Darren, were of most interest to the Championship clubs, with Nixon stating that Leicester City, Ipswich Town, Charlton Athletic, Norwich City, Hull City and Derby County respectively, were all keeping a watchful eye on proceedings.

Jack is an attacking midfielder who has scored twice for United in the Premier League 2 this season and got on the scoresheet against Barnsley in the EFL Trophy.

Tyler is a more defensive-minded midfield operator, starting the contest versus the Tykes as well as six Premier League 2 clashes this term.

Doncaster Rovers, Leyton Orient, Reading, Mansfield, Wimbledon, Bolton Wanderers, Wigan Athletic, Blackpool, Crewe and Grimsby Town were all reported to have representatives at the clash too.

Bendito Mantato was also mentioned as a potential target by Nixon, but could be deemed just too young to leave on loan at this moment in time.

Championship sides will have to be quick in their pursuit of Manchester United talent

As Nixon’s report states, a large number of teams are keeping a watchful eye on some of Manchester United’s talent.

This means that any hesitation over a potential deal could open up the doors for another team to come in and seal a transfer, which will be on the minds of all the second-tier sides keen on the Red Devils’ prospects.

The mass amount of interest from League One also suggests that the Championship outfits can’t afford the luxury of biding their time, as United may decide to test their youngsters in the third tier instead.

Therefore, the rush to start planning deals for January will only increase, especially if Manchester United’s starts of the future are in such high demand.