Manchester United 'send Mike Phelan to watch Jude Bellingham'

Manchester United have reportedly sent their assistant manager Mike Phelan to watch Birmingham City teenager Jude Bellingham ahead of a potential move.

Despite being just 16 years old, Bellingham has made 21 Championship appearances during the 2019-20 campaign and scored his third league goal of the season against Leeds United on Sunday afternoon.

According to The Sun, United, who are back in action at Arsenal on New Year's Day, are on the trail of the youngster having sent Phelan to watch him.

The report claims that the Blues are confident of keeping hold of Bellingham in the near future, although the second-tier club are also likely to have to fight off interest from Bayern Munich.

The teenager scored Birmingham's first goal in their 5-4 home defeat to Leeds before being replaced in the latter stages of the nine-goal thriller.

Bellingham, who will see his current deal at St Andrew's expire in the summer of 2021, has also scored twice in three appearances for England's Under-17 side.