Manchester United have recruited two academy scouts from Manchester City, a source close to the scouting process has told ESPN FC.

The Daily Telegraph earlier reported that the City scouts in question, Dave Harrison and Lyndon Tomlinson, are currently on gardening leave and will begin their new roles on Jan. 1.

United have been in the process of overhauling their academy setup, with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward keen to improve it. With City having made strides in bringing highly rated youth talent to Manchester, United are looking to stop their rivals from stealing a march on them.

A new-look scouting operation is in place at United, with Marcel Bout having been promoted as part of the restructuring. Bout is head of global scouting, working alongside chief scout Jim Lawlor.

Warren Joyce, who had been responsible for helping to nurture much of United's young talent as the under-21 boss, left the club on Nov. 2 to become Wigan Athletic's manager.