The French midfielder is a top target for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, but no deal has been done this summer.
And Jose Mourinho could be about to get one over his old rival by pinching the 21-year-old from under his nose.
United have joined Arsenal in the race for Lemar’s signature, and according to former Fleet Street journalist Ian McGarry, they are ahead of Arsenal in the race to get him.
Speaking on The Transfer Window podcast, he said: “I’d say Manchester United are in the driving seat right now (for Lemar).
“I think Wenger was depending on the whole French connection at Arsenal, bringing in a player who obviously has played for the (French) national team with Giroud, Lacazette, Koscielny and others.
“But they haven’t got the deal over the line yet and they’ve been trying for six weeks.
“And if Manchester United did come in with the right offer and the right contract and the charm and charisma of Jose Mourinho telling a player how he’ll play, where he’ll play as he does.”
The future of Chilean star Alexis Sanchez is another key issue for Arsenal.
Manchester City want him but the Gunners don’t want to sell.
But McGarry thinks they should cash-in.
“The sale of Sanchez would be a big blow to them, but if I was Arsene Wenger I’d take this one on the chin, get it done as soon as possible and try and get someone in who is a decent centre-half,” he added.
“Yeah, we know you (Arsenal) can score goals. So stop conceding and you might have a chance.
“Sometimes it pays to speculate to accumulate.”
