Man Utd eye 'shock return' for academy graduate in 'cut-price January move' - it is not Scott McTominay

Manchester United are said to be ‘paying close attention’ to James Garner’s contract situation at Everton as they eye a potential ‘shock return’ for their former academy player in the January transfer window.

The 24-year-old from Birkenhead is a United academy graduate, having joined the club way back in 2009. He made just seven appearances for the Red Devils’ senior squad and left the club permanently for Everton in 2022 after previous loan spells with Watford and Nottingham Forest.

He is out of contract on Merseyside this summer and could be available for a cut-price deal in January.

The Daily Mail report that he is ‘a name that is rising up United's list as they explore a potential midfield addition next month’.

Casemiro is out of contract at Old Trafford in the summer while Bruno Fernandes recently revealed that the club were open to letting him leave last summer amid interest from Saudi Arabia.

Elliott Anderson, Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba and Conor Gallagher have been strongly linked with potential moves to United as Ruben Amorim plans a complete overhaul of his midfield.

Anderson is described as the Red Devils’ top target but Garner is viewed as a sensible and affordable option as he remains in the final months of his Everton contract.

Everton are in talks with Garner about a new contract and want to sort it out before the January transfer window opens. Garner would be free to speak to clubs outside of England about a pre-contract from January 1 if a new deal is not agreed by then.

However, United would be required to approach Everton about a deal.

David Moyes has addressed James Garner future at Everton

Toffees boss David Moyes recently discussed Garner’s future at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, as he said recently: "Look, I wouldn't be letting [Garner] go and I think the xcub will do everything they can to make sure that he stays.

"It's probably a bit of a difference and shows signs [of progression] because I'm not sure many clubs have been after many Everton players in the past but now they're maybe starting to take a bit of interest, which is a good sign.

"Hopefully he signs a new contract when the time comes but at the end of the season he's got an option [of an extra year extension] as well so, obviously, we'll be on that, if we need to be."

Garner has been a mainstay for Everton this season after starting every Premier League game for the club so far, providing one goal and two assists.

Scott McTominay rejects myth of players improving after leaving Man Utd

He is not the only former United academy graduate who is excelling since leaving Old Trafford. The biggest name on that list is arguably Scott McTominay, who has become a huge star for Serie A side Napoli.

The Scotsman played a big role as they won the Italian title last season. However, the Scotland hero recently rejected the idea that United were to blame when players excelled after leaving the club.

He said last week: "It's just to easy of an excuse to say they left Man United and now they're doing well. Last year, I did well -- I scored 10 goals and we won a trophy. With Marcus [Rashford], there were obviously different issues that might have transpired which we won't go into, but Marcus is a top player and he's always been a top player.

“He's one of the club's legends, scored so many goals for Man United and done so many great things.

"Because the spotlight is directly on you, it makes it seem a lot worse in my opinion. Obviously when players go away and they're playing more games, they're going to have an increase in confidence, they're going to feel better about themselves than when you're playing less minutes at Man United.

"But when you are at Man United you have to earn those minutes, like Bruno Fernandes who's done incredible."