Manchester United leading the race for Celtic duo Kieran Tierney and Moussa Dembele, according to reports.

The pair have been attracting the attention of no fewer than 17 Premier League clubs, who all had representatives in the crowd for the game against Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

But United are reportedly leading the chase with their long-term interest in both players.

Full-back Tierney has been one of the breakout stars of Scottish football in recent years.

Tierney has been impressing for Celtic (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)
Dembele is one of the most exciting strikers in the world right now (
Image:
Action Images via Reuters)

Dembele, meanwhile, is one of the most sought-after young attacking talents on the continent.

Both players could cost a combined fee of over £50million, if United look to compete for both.

Jose defends Lukaku penalty snub

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Jose Mourinho defended his decision to snub Romelu Lukaku – and extend the Manchester United striker's goal drought to six games.

Lukaku stepped up to take a penalty in the 78th-minute, only to be told to step aside on the orders of Mourinho, with Daley Blind dispatching the spot-kick to seal victory.

Anthony Martial, who had earlier missed from the spot, had been substituted, leaving Lukaku free to take the second penalty of the night in a bid to end his month-long wait for a goal.

But Mourinho's intervention ultimately saw Blind handed responsibility for the penalty, a decision defended by the United boss, who had 24 hours earlier hailed Lukaku as “untouchable”.

Lukaku put the ball down but was not allowed to take the penalty (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)

“I'm paid to take decisions, good or bad,” said Mourinho. “In the first-half the decision was bad, in the second-half I made another decision and I don't see the drama.

“The penalty taker for this match was Martial, but he wasn't even on the pitch when the second one was given.

“Romelu wanted to take it, he had the personality to take the responsibility.

“Ander Herrera was the same, but that was my decision, based on training in the past couple of days.”

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