While certainly not the most glamorous name, Scott McTominay has been the biggest sustained success of the club's academy in recent seasons. Indeed, the young Scotland international has impressed under both Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, winning an award last season under the former as a result of his rise to prominence.   

Even in fairly limited appearances amid what has been a difficult period for the Red Devils, strong praise from both the Portuguese and the Norwegian certainly suggests the youngster has a place at Old Trafford.

Still, according to Sport, the club are apparently interested in Ivan Rakitic if Barcelona sell the Croatian this summer. Undoubtedly a big name and someone who has played at the highest of levels for a number of seasons now, the fact he’s 31-year-old and was described as “baffling” by Sport (via Metro) after his performance at Anfield in the Champions League should be a worry.

United have spent a lot of money on big names since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson and not an awful lot of such signings have been a success, with even Wayne Rooney suggesting the club should change their strategy on that front when talking to ESPN recently.

Indeed, if his poor display against Liverpool wasn’t enough, then his decision to attend an annual festival in Seville (via AS) immediately after the humiliation was potentially as bad as Paul Pogba’s social media post after Mourinho’s sacking. Yes, it seems churlish to talk about off-field matters but with so much talk (Gary Neville really wasn't happy) devoted to the Frenchman, criticising one and not the other would be unfair.

So, when you compare all that with McTominay’s impressive showing in the first leg against Barcelona in the Champions League, where he won 100% tackles and defensive aerial duels and completed two out of three take-ons (via Statman Dave), perhaps there's an argument to suggest he should be given more of a chance.

Obviously, it wouldn't be a like-for-like replacement should the Barca star arrive but with the likes of Eric Dier also linked with a move to the Theatre of Dreams, McTominany shouldn't be lost in any potential shuffle.

United fans, do you think McTominay can continue his impressive development next season? Join the discussion by commenting below...