James Garner is hopeful of staying at Manchester United next season as he approaches the final months of his loan spell with Nottingham Forest.
Garner, 20, was outstanding in Forest's 4-1 thrashing of Leicester in the FA Cup fourth round and has started 22 times for the Championship club this season.
United briefly discussed the possibility of recalling Garner in the January transfer window before it was decided it was in everyone's best interests for the midfielder to continue playing regularly.
Sources close to Garner are optimistic his fine form for Forest could secure a first-team squad role under the next permanent manager at United, where upheaval is expected in midfield.
Paul Pogba is set to leave once his contract expires in June and there are doubts over the long-term future of Donny van de Beek, now on loan at Everton. Nemanja Matic turns 34 in August and is out of contract in 2023.
United intend to sign at least one midfielder in the summer, with the club's decision-makers of the opinion it is the 'biggest problem' in the squad. West Ham midfielder Declan Rice is coveted and has expressed interest in joining United but West Ham could price Rice out of a transfer until next year as his contract is up in 2024.
Garner made his United debut in March 2019 against Crystal Palace and was touted as a potential replacement for Ander Herrera by former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ahead of the 2019-20 campaign.
Garner has not played for United since December 2019, having been on loan at Watford and Forest last term, but his contract was extended until 2024 as part of his return to the City Ground in August.
The former Under-18 captain travelled on United's last two pre-season tours under Solskjaer and Jose Mourinho and Garner was involved in United's summer friendlies.
