Arsenal to rival Manchester United for Cork City youngster Brian Lenihan

Arsenal face stiff competition from Manchester United to sign Cork City defender Brian Lenihan.

The 20-year-old right-back was scouted by the Gunners’ chief scout Steve Rowley on Friday night and according to reports in Ireland he was impressed with what he saw.

Rowley, who has discovered the likes of Gael Clichy, Cesc Fabregas and Alex Song during his tenure, will discuss Lenihan with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger and the club’s new Head of Youth development Andries Jonker.

Manchester United have already shown tentative interest in Lenihan while Aston Villa assistant manager Roy Keane is said to be a big fan of the up-and-coming Irish defender.

Lenihan made his under-21 debut recently against Qatar in Germany recently and manager Noel King is expected to give him a key role in the Green Army’s next Euro qualification campaign.

According to the Evening Echo, Lenihan’s former club College Corinthians would also benefit from any potential deal.