Manchester United have reportedly decided against pursuing a move for Leeds United striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, despite the England international enjoying an impressive spell of form at Elland Road.
Calvert-Lewin joined Leeds on a free transfer in 2025 after leaving Everton, with the forward looking to rebuild his career following several difficult seasons affected by injuries and inconsistent form. His performances since arriving at Leeds, however, have reminded many observers why he was once regarded as one of England’s most dangerous centre-forwards.
That resurgence has inevitably led to speculation that some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs could make an approach, with Manchester United among the sides linked with a potential move.
However, according to former Manchester United scout Mick Brown, there is currently nothing concrete behind suggestions that Calvert-Lewin could make the move to Old Trafford.
“I’m told there’s nothing in the links with Calvert-Lewin and Man United,” Brown told Football Insider.
Brown also questioned the idea that United should have signed the striker when he became available on a free transfer.
“It’s very easy for Michael Owen to come out now when he is scoring goals and playing well, but nobody was saying Man United should have signed him at the time,” Brown said.
Calvert-Lewin’s career had reached a difficult point before his move to Leeds. Fitness problems had disrupted his progress at Everton, while his goalscoring numbers had also fallen significantly compared with his best seasons.
That made a move to Manchester United a significant gamble at the time, particularly for a club looking for immediate solutions in attack.
Michael Owen recently suggested that United could have taken that gamble.
The former England and Manchester United striker argued that Calvert-Lewin’s physical presence and ability to occupy defenders could have made him a useful option at Old Trafford, particularly given the shortage of proven centre-forwards in the Premier League.
Owen said Calvert-Lewin had always been difficult for defenders to handle when fully fit and suggested that United could have considered signing him as a squad option.
Leeds ultimately made that decision instead, and the move appears to have provided Calvert-Lewin with the opportunity to rediscover his confidence and consistency.
Manchester United, meanwhile, appear to have different priorities.
The club invested heavily in midfield during the summer, bringing in Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba as part of an effort to reshape the squad.
United had also been expected to strengthen at left-back and potentially add another left-wing option, but neither move materialised before the transfer deadline.
Recent reports have subsequently suggested that the club could turn its attention toward rebuilding the defence in the next transfer window.
There remains a possibility that United will look for another striker, particularly if squad changes create a need for greater competition in the position.
Joshua Zirkzee was previously expected to be a potential departure, which could have opened the door for United to recruit another forward. The Netherlands international ultimately remained at the club, leaving him as the primary alternative to Benjamin Sesko.
With Sesko currently unavailable through injury, manager Michael Carrick has also shown a willingness to use Matheus Cunha through the middle.
That situation could still encourage United to explore the striker market, but Brown expects the club to look elsewhere rather than attempt to bring Calvert-Lewin back to Manchester.
“They might want a new striker to compete with Sesko, but I expect they’ll be looking elsewhere,” Brown explained.
A potential deal with Leeds could also prove complicated. Calvert-Lewin is now an important part of the Leeds attack, and the club would have little reason to make negotiations straightforward if United eventually decided to pursue him.
For now, the message from Brown is clear: despite Calvert-Lewin’s improved form and the renewed attention surrounding his performances, Manchester United are not currently planning a move for the Leeds striker.
His resurgence remains one of the more notable stories of his career, but whether it will eventually lead him back to one of England’s biggest clubs remains uncertain.
