Manchester United in talks to sign Chelsea and Arsenal target Nishan Burkhart

Manchester United are in advanced talks with FC Zurich striker Nishan Burkhart as Louis van Gaal keeps on his agenda to groom fresh blood at Old Trafford. The Red Devils are expected to spend judiciously in the market on big name targets in January but that has not stopped the Dutchman from keeping an eye out for exciting talents who have a chance to feature in the United line-up in the not so distant future.

The Daily Mail reports that the player has been heavily likened to Theo Walcott for his pace and ability to finish, a much needed trait in the United line-up. Arsenal, Chelsea and Southampton are also keen admirers of the 15-year-old but the Red Devils are hoping to get the deal over the line with promises over game time.

However, fans will be desperate for their manager to bring more proven talent to the squad in January and turn their season around, which has gone astray after a promising start to the campaign. The Red Devils are yet to taste victory in their last five fixtures that has seen them lose to Bournemouth in the league and Wolfsburg in the group stages of the Champions League, which also saw them being knocked out of Europe's most revered club competition.

They will now be placed in the pot to participate in the Europa League, which will be drawn after the Champions League fixtures have been served out. There has been major criticism for the manager after the Wolfsburg loss, with club legend Paul Scholes particularly ripping into the tactics of the Dutchman.

Rio Ferdinand has put his boot into the manager and warned the Red Devils that they are going backwards under his stewardship. The former United defender has won countless trophies under Sir Alex Ferguson but believes that the present era do not have any chance of repeating that feat under Van Gaal.

"Manchester United are going backwards again and I don't see that changing because the manager will not change," he told the Sun.

"Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti will be available this summer and the question is will they be able to do a better job than Van Gaal. The board and owners might want to be loyal to Van Gaal after investing so much in him but they also have to do what is best for United. The next six months are absolutely crucial," he added.