Manchester United Transfer News: Raheem Sterling Approach Made, Latest Rumours

Manchester United have been knocked back after making a "sensational enquiry" for Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling, according to Dominic King of the Daily Mail.

Sterling is expected to tell Merseyside boss Brendan Rodgers he wants to leave, reported by Ben Smith of BBC Sport. Although Liverpool "want to keep" the 20-year-old star, according to Smith, the club can expect a difficult summer of batting away potential suitors.

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"Liverpool flatly told United they have no interest in doing business," reports King, who believes Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City have also been "plotting moves" for one of the Premier League's best young talents.

Although Sterling's sale to any other side will grab headlines, a switch to United would be historic. As noted by King, no player has moved between the rival clubs since Phil Chisnall in 1964, such is the mutual feeling of enmity between the sides and their supporters.

Former United left-back Gabriel Heinze tried to force a move from Old Trafford to Anfield in 2007, a situation which eventually led to a tribunal ruling in United's favour, per Daniel Taylor of the Guardian. Heinze was taunted by United supporters upon facing the team for the first time after this situation, which left his reputation at the club tarnished.

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Sterling is likely to have already frustrated many Liverpool supporters this season, but heading to their fiercest rivals would ramp things up considerably. The versatile forward has scored seven goals and provided seven assists this campaign, per WhoScored.com, and could add the breakaway pace Louis van Gaal needs.

Oddschecker.com currently provides odds of 10-1 for Sterling to join United. Manchester City (5-4) and Arsenal (5-1) remain the favourites at the time of writing. Gunners legend Thierry Henry believes Sterling is destined to head back to the city where he grew up, reported on Sky Sports (h/t King):

"We know he is a Londoner," said Henry. "We all know Arsenal want him from what Arsene (Wenger) was saying yesterday." Wenger left his comments open to interpretation during Tuesday's press conference, reported by James Olley of the London Evening Standard:

Henry believes Sterling's agent is providing him with poor guidance, per King:

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I think we all know that he is receiving bad advice. You can't go out and talk about your contract in the press. You should respect the fans and club you play for.

When I was young I had problems with Madrid and Monaco. Some guys put stuff in my head and it affected my game. You can blame the agent or adviser but you need to be a man and say 'enough, you are destroying my life and my career.' He is a great product of Liverpool and for England and I'd be more than happy to see him at Arsenal.

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B/R UK's Sam Tighe recently discussed the most likely landing spots for Sterling:

United fans can expect a busy summer, one in which plenty of cash will be spent to improve the squad. Speculation of an attempt to sign Sterling being deflected by Liverpool arrives at a time when similar stories are appearing over the club's attempt to sign Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels.

BVB Sporting Director Michael Zorc has suggested Hummels wishes to remain at the Westfalenstadion and has "rejected" the chance to link up with Van Gaal, per Ian Ladyman of the MailOnline. Zorc spoke to Kicker (h/t Ladyman): "It made sense that Mats was thinking about his future, but I always pointed out that we plan (for the future) with him."

Hummels "is expected to stay in Germany," per Ladyman's report. This could seriously impact Van Gaal's plans for the summer. However, with the club's Champions League future assured, he will be confident of luring quality.

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Sterling's arrival seems highly unlikely. The history between the two clubs suggests Liverpool would rather sell to anyone else if the former Queens Park Rangers man is to leave.

Although Sterling's appearance would make sense from a tactical point of view—he possesses the pace and dribbling quality to stretch United's play—he would likely commit the ultimate footballing sin by joining Liverpool's foes.