Manchester United have embarked on a summer of transfer upheaval, with a host of top-notch stars arriving at Old Trafford.
However, the bulk of the new faces have been signed from the foreign market, which sees the historic club’s number of homegrown players continue to drop.
Long-gone are the days of Scholes, Giggs, Neville and co, with it being an international cast under Louis van Gaal’s tutelage.
The latest rumours link the Red Devils with English duo Harry Kane and John Stones, which would be moves to give United an English core once more.
With that in mind, here are five other English starlets for the Old Trafford outfit to consider.
Ross Barkley
United captured one of their best players of a generation as a youngster from Everton in the form of Wayne Rooney, with Barkley drawing comparisons with the current Red Devils skipper.
Although the talented playmaker has been inconsistent over the last 12 months, his talent is undeniable and as such he could well be a real star at Old Trafford.
A significant transfer fee would need to be shelled out for Barkley, but in the long run it could be money well spent.
James Ward-Prowse
Another superb, technical midfielder, Ward-Prowse is a graduate of the fabled Southampton youth system and a player seemingly destined for great things.
Versatile enough to play in central midfield or wide but better as a number ten, the youngster’s creative talent, delivery from set pieces and range of passing make him a unique talent.
Ward-Prowse has already starred in the Premier League and surely would add an attractive skillset to Van Gaal’s attacking options.
Demarai Gray
The Birmingham youngster had his breakthrough campaign in 2014-15 and looks set to continue to perplex Championship defences this season – that is if United or another Premier League outfit don’t snap up this young starlet.
A versatile winger full of pace and enterprise, Gray is making movements through the English youth-grade sides and has started to catch the eye for the under-20’s outfit.
With so much promise it seems like only a matter of time before this star-in-the-making is heading to a top team.
Rolando Aarons
The 19-year-old has already proven himself as a potential wildcard in Newcastle’s squad, with the attacker making quite the introduction at Tyneside last season.
Injuries have taken their toll on Aarons, but he is now fit and firing, with the potential for the youngster to be an important member of the St James’ Park squad this term.
With vision and trickery beyond his young years, United would know that they had a player capable of becoming a full England international if they landed Aarons.
Jack Grealish
Although representing Republic of Ireland under-21’s, this Aston Villa prodigy was born in England and could yet step out for the Three Lions.
A product of the Villa Park youth system, the 19-year-old contributed to Tim Sherwood’s men avoiding the drop and making the FA Cup final last season.
An excitement machine that can only get better, United’s interest in Grealish would not be misplaced.
