United consider £6m Liverpool reject swoop

Blackpool winger Thomas Ince has been linked with a January move to Manchester United - 18 months after being released on a free by Liverpool - reports the Sunday Express.

The 20-year-old forward has been the Championship club's stand-out performer this season, and could be on his way to the Premier League in a £6million deal when the transfer window reopens.

Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson - who signed Ince's father Paul, for £1million from West Ham in 1989 - is ready to see off competition from a host of other top-flight clubs and bring the youngster to Old Trafford.

After moving to Anfield as a youth player in 2008, Ince made his Liverpool debut two years ago, before being shipped out on loan to Notts County, where his dad was formerly manager.

He was deemed surplus to requirements by former Reds boss Kenny Dalglish, and signed a two-year contract with Blackpool last August, with an agreement that the deal could be extended for a third year.

But, after scoring six goals for the Seasiders already this campaign, his stay at Bloomfield Road could be short-lived, if a move to Manchester United materialises early next year.

Meanwhile, Liverpool, under the new stewardship of Brendan Rodgers, will be left scratching their heads as to why the club let such a precocious young talent slip from their grasp. It could come back to haunt them!