Manchester United are monitoring Middlesbrough winger Marcus Tavernier, report The Mail.
Tavernier, 19, has scored two goals in seven appearances for Boro this season.
At this stage United are just keeping track on Tavernier’s progress, and have not submitted any offers.
If they do move for Tavernier it would be a very unusual deal by United’s recent methods.
It is rare for United to sign a young English player who has first team experience.
Jose Mourinho has never done it. The only English player he has signed is back-up goalkeeper, veteran Lee Grant.
Louis van Gaal signed one Englishman with first team experience, Luke Shaw. David Moyes did not add any.
The last attacking player in a similar category to Tavernier was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson and that was Wilfried Zaha in Janaury 2013, and Nick Powell a few months earlier.
This recent lack of activity surrounding the British market may suggest that a move for Tavernier would be unlikely.
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If United do go for it, then it would signal an alteration in strategy, if not a complete shift, but a step in a different direction.
United have missed out on some top English talent on the cheap in recent seasons, notably Dele Alli and Harry Maguire.
Tavernier may or may not be capable of stepping up to United’s level, but it would be nice to see the Red Devils take a cheap gamble.
