Our Manchester United fans here in the Transfer Tavern are always excited about the next wave of youth academy prospects coming through the Old Trafford ranks.

Red Devils current man in charge, Jose Mourinho will not be looking to break the long 80-year-old record of having a United youth academy player named in the matchday squad but keep the streak going. Despite many of our punters believing the hype surrounding Mourinho over his reputation of not giving youth a chance after his appointment at Old Trafford, he seems to be fully invested in the Red Devils’ historic youth policy.

Our barman likes the idea of, if a United youth graduate makes the step up to the first team, they’ll know it’s not just for a short, meaningless stint. Mourinho’s personal policy is, if an academy player is to play for the first team, he’s in the first team’s plans, not just there to create numbers and statistics.

With that in mind, our landlord takes a look at two of the youngsters that Mourinho could really do with giving a run out to in the FA Cup match against Derby County…

James Wilson

The United academy youngster is surely looking for another loan move in a bid to re-ignite his United career, but with striking options limited due to injuries and general Christmas fatigue, this FA Cup match could be Wilson’s chance to impress Mourinho one last time.

Wilson will find it hard to dislodge any of the main front men and with the returning Lukaku, you can only see more bench time for the young man in the near future as he falls down the pecking order at Old Trafford.

However, unless he gives a top class performance like many know that he’s capable of, a move out of the Old Trafford exit door may be on the cards for the once promising striker.

Scott McTominay

Having made his debut this season in a depleted United midfielder, a series of injuries and suspensions have given him his chance to shine in the Old Trafford limelight.

However hard Mourinho is trying to extend the contracts of his current first team midfielders that are expiring this summer, he could have a ready-made replacement already within the ranks already for next season and a start against a Championship side will be a fitting test once again for McTominay to showcase his talent.

Another good performance by the rising start could give the Portuguese a headache he may not have anticipated going into the second half of the season.