Manchester United staff concede they made an error by failing to sign Evan Ferguson earlier in his career.
The Irishman has enjoyed a breakout campaign with Brighton, whom he's recently signed a new long-term deal with as the Seagulls look to warn off potential suitors. Ferguson scored a brace for Brighton in their win over Southampton last time out and has notched 10 times this season.
United could've signed Ferguson, now 18, when he was just 16 after he'd been on trial at Old Trafford, only for him to be deemed not good enough for the Red Devils. Shortly after he joined Brighton, where he's thrived, from Irish side Bohemians, earning a Republic of Ireland call-up along the way.
SkySports have reported that United academy director Nick Cox admits that was a "£50m mistake" - which could end up costing them far more than that if they want to sign Ferguson in the future. Brighton are confident that they can make a huge sum should they want to cash in down the road.
A new forward is top of Erik ten Hag's wishlist this summer with Ferguson previously seen as a potential target. Harry Kane, whose future at Tottenham is unclear with his contract winding down, is their ideal man, whilst Napoli's Victor Osimhen is also an option.
United have previously squandered major opportunities in the market by shunning young talent and look to have done so once more with Ferguson - not long after they chose not to sign a teenage Erling Haaland before he shot to stardom, with Manchester City now reaping the rewards.
The Norwegian came through the ranks at Molde, where Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had been in charge. He would eventually take the top job at United but before that had made the club aware that a young talent could be available for a relatively tiny fee, but they didn't take note.
Solskjaer has said: “I called United about six months before I took over and told them that I’d got this striker that we had but they didn’t listen. I asked for £4million for Haaland but they didn’t sign him.”
United's forward options have failed to live up to expectation, with the exception of Marcus Rashford, who has carried the team's burden in the final third. The forward, who is one goal shy of scoring 30, has produced the most productive season of his career but has struggled for support.
Bruno Fernandes has hit double figures but the likes of Anthony Martial and Jadon Sancho have been unable to regularly contribute in front of goal.
