While Manchester United continue with their protracted pursuit of Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong, another midfielder is hoping to impress Erik ten Hag on the club's pre-season tour.
James Garner, back from a successful loan spell at Nottingham Forest, where he helped them finally gain promotion to the Premier League, sat out the first two games of the tour with a slight injury. He is set to return to training with United on Monday in Melbourne and is hoping to play some part on the tour and prove to Ten Hag he deserves to stay with the first-team squad next season.
A loan – potentially back to Forest – may be the most likely outcome for Garner, but the 21-year-old is determined to show what he can offer on tour before a decision is made on his future. Tuesday’s game with Crystal Palace at the MCG may come too soon, with the final tour match against Aston Villa in Perth on Saturday a more realistic target.
