Manchester United have placed Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling on a list of high priority transfer targets, according to reports in the English media.

As things stand, there is no realistic chance of the Red Devils making an approach for the England international, but that could change if the Citizens’ Champions League ban is upheld.

An appeal will be heard at the Court of Arbitration for Sport later this month but, if the two-year suspension from European competitions stays in place, Sterling could consider his future.

If he were to become available at any point, it is believed United would be prepared to make a stunning bid for the 25-year-old.

The club’s analytics department is believed to have identified Sterling as someone who would greatly improve the Red Devils’ starting eleven.

To be fair, though, you don’t need a team of analysts to work out that the City star is an excellent player, having scored 20 goals and provided seven assists in 39 appearances this campaign.