Manchester United are making a shock move for Manchester City midfielder James Milner. The People says United transfer negotiator Ed Woodward has made an inquiry with Milner's advisors in the last few days to investigate the possibility of signing the 29-year-old England star, who is out of contract at cross-town rivals City.

The tee-total midfielder has been offered £130,000-a-week to stay at the Etihad Stadium. But although the club desperately want him to re-sign Milner has so far refused to agree to a new deal, with Liverpool and Arsenal both waiting in the wings.

The key to any United move would have to be an assurance from Louis van Gaal that Milner would be handed a regular central role in United's team.