Man Utd ‘keeping tabs on Ivan Toney as they line up Brentford ace as January transfer replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo’

MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly eyeing up a move for Brentford striker Ivan Toney if Cristiano Ronaldo leaves the club.

Ronaldo, 37, has been forced to settle for the role of impact substitute since the arrival of Erik ten Hag in the summer.

Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial have both been preferred to him up front.

And even when he has played, Ronaldo has managed just two goals in his 10 appearances.

He is being linked with a move away from Old Trafford in the January window.

And if that does happen, are reporting that Man Utd are monitoring Toney's situation ahead of a potential approach.

Toney has scored six Premier League goals in nine matches so far this season.

He was also Brentford's top scorer last season with 14 goals to his name, one year after he netted a then record 31 times in the Championship to earn his side promotion to the top flight.

And his superb form earned him an England call-up for last month's Nations League games against Italy and Germany.

The 26-year-old is under contract with Brentford until 2025, with the club hoping they can keep him by offering a new £100-a-week deal.

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It comes amid interest from a host of Prem sides, with United joined by Leeds, Newcastle and West Ham in the race to acquire his signature.

Toney had to apologise in January after a  was published on social media.

But he remains one of Thomas Frank's key players on the pitch as they look to secure Premier League safety for a second successive campaign.