There's no doubt Kobbie Mainoo has taken both the Premier League and English football by storm since his debut on a windy and rainy night at Goodison Park last November.
He's scored late winners, made his England national team debut, led the Three Lions to a European Championship final and won Manchester United the FA Cup in near-impossible circumstances.
Doing all of this as a teenager gives fans and perhaps senior United figures the impression that Old Trafford has their midfielder nailed down for the next decade.
The question now moves to, who does Erik ten Hag since to join him in the middle of the pitch?
The Sporting News take a look at future potential midfield partners for the Englishman at the Theatre of Dreams.
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Potential midfield signings for Man United
United have long sought after a Michael Carrick replacement since his retirement in 2018. The Englishman signed from Spurs in 2006 and enjoyed a decade packed with success as he partnered Paul Scholes and Darren Fletcher.
They've tried Fred from Shakhtar Donetsk for £47 million ($60m), Donny van de Beek from Ajax (£39m/$50m) and most recently Casemiro from Real Madrid for £70 million ($89m).
None of which have been too successful, to say the least.
Manuel Ugarte
Born in Montevideo, Uruguay, Ugarte began his football journey and from an early age he was scouted across Europe after he made his professional debut at just 15 during the 2016 Copa Sudamericana, becoming the youngest-ever professional player in Uruguay in the 21st century.
He started his career as a striker before transitioning to midfield where earned his move to Portugal to play for Famalicao in December 2020, which then led to a transfer to Sporting CP for €6.5 million ($7m) in 2021.
At Sporting, Ugarte became increasingly popular, especially after Joao Palhinha's departure. He is highly rated for his ball-winning, tackles and recoveries and since joining PSG in 2023, he's added composure to his game.
Ugarte quickly became a standout player in Ligue 1 and a vital part of Uruguay's national team that excelled in the 2024 Copa America.
However, his price tag may be deemed excessive as the French side look to recoup some of the cash spent on Joao Neves from Benfica, but reports of a loan deal have been shared widely.
Youssouf Fofana
With PSG demanding a high price for Ugarte, United have reportedly identified Youssouf Fofana as a potential alternative signing.
Fofana, who has been with Monaco since 2020, may be available for a more affordable fee, with his contract set to expire next summer. According to Fabrizio Romano, the 25-year-old could cost just £17 million ($21.7m) this summer, giving United significant leverage in negotiations.
Fofana's impressive stats have seen him attract interest and since the start of the 2022/23 Ligue 1 season, he has won possession in the midfield third 297 times, more than any other player. He also ranks in the top five per cent of midfielders for progressive passes, averaging 8.3 per 90 minutes.
Former teammate Cesc Fabregas has recently praised the Frenchman: "He’s a very dynamic and strong player, good on the ball, a modern type of player, aggressive, can jump, he’s box to box.
"I really like Fofana and I think he fits very well with the Premier League style," he added.
Joey Veerman
🔴⚪️ Joey Veerman picked his place ⚽️#UEL pic.twitter.com/JVGNfaR6Aj
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) July 31, 2024
Another alternative could be PSV Eindhoven midfielder Joey Veerman. Reports have seen him emerge as a top candidate after he played a crucial role in PSV's league title win last season and also stood out for the Netherlands at Euro 2024.
He scored eight goals in 41 appearances across all competitions last season and the 25-year-old has previously played for Volendam, Heerenveen, and PSV.
He also appears to fit the Ten Hag bill when it comes to signings... anyone from the Netherlands will do.
Jude Bellingham
Although Jude Bellingham isn't currently eyeing a transfer, he and Mainoo developed a strong relationship during the European Championship while playing for England.
Bellingham has previously turned down a move to Manchester United in favor of joining Borussia Dortmund from Birmingham City. However, as an English player, it's hard to imagine him never playing in the Premier League.
Given their youth, a partnership between Bellingham and Mainoo at Old Trafford would be one for the ages, but for now, it remains a tantalising possibility rather than a reality.
