According to The Sun, Manchester United are currently leading the race for young Sunderland forward Joe Hugill, with the likes of Tottenham in the battle too.

Hugill is currently at the academy on Wearside but for how much longer remains to be seen with some of the biggest clubs in the country evidently interested in signing him.

Among them, United and Spurs with the former leading the race and looking the most likely to sign him at the moment.

That in mind, then, we've been taking a look at three reasons why a move to Manchester might be better for him at this stage than a move to London...

Striking prospects

At United, there is a clear openness to bringing through young forwards when they are ready at the moment, and that should excite Hugill.

Obviously, they may look to sign a more senior forward in the summer but with Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford as examples, if Hugill is good enough he could play.

Club positions

Not so long ago, Tottenham were streets ahead of United but you'd probably argue now they are level - and, if anything, United are slightly ahead.

Spurs have been up and down under Jose Mourinho and fans are far from completely won over by him - whilst there seems a bit more harmony under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Right now, you'd argue United are in a better position for the future.

Manager approaches

What Mourinho's approach at Tottenham is is yet to really be discovered. The Portuguese says he's changed his style but there's not been massive signs of that at Spurs, whilst Solskjaer's approach has been regularly proven to be reliant on youth.

The Norwegian is clearly looking to bolster the young players he has at his disposal, too, judging by transfer speculation, and Hugill might well be wise to join given what United are clearly aiming to do.