Juan Mata has described Borussia Dortmund attacker Jadon Sancho as a "great player" as rumours of a possible switch to Manchester United gather pace.

Sancho is thought to be United's top target ahead of the next transfer window after lighting up Bundesliga in his three seasons since arriving from Manchester City.

The Red Devils are rumoured to have received a significant boost in their pursuit of the England international, who has scored 14 goals and set up a further 15 in the German top flight this campaign.

Mata refused to get drawn into discussing a future move to Old Trafford for Sancho, but he did talk up the 20-year-old's quality.

"Should we sign Jadon Sancho? What do you want me to say?!" he said during an Instagram live session with Bayern Munich's Serge Gnabry.

"We all know he's a great player. He's having a fantastic season at Dortmund.

"But it's not my responsibility to speak about those things. I like him as a player but I cannot reply to that."

Real Madrid outcast James Rodriguez is supposedly being lined up as a back-up option should United miss out on Sancho.