2. Ben Pearson
For all the talk of United splashing the cash in a bid to bring back Paul Pogba, Van Gaal will be better served by giving young Ben Pearson a run in the first-team. Born in Oldham, the tenacious central midfielder has been with United since 2004 and in that time has represented both the club and the country at various youth levels.
Pearson showed his commitment and dedication, when he won the club’s Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award in 2013, just a year after recovering from a nasty bout of glandular fever. A central midfielder who can combine the ability to pass forward confidently with an eye for a tackle, the 19-year-old is just the player the club needs right now. Under-18 boss Paul McGuinness described him as “an outstanding passer of the ball, a combination player and a good playmaker” who can link midfield and has the ability to “snuff out danger”. If he is a given a regular run, he could well be the answer to their midfield woes and a start against Yeovil would be the perfect opportunity for him to show Van Gaal just what he can do.