Manchester United have ordered scouts to dig for young lower league talent.
United this summer spent a world record £80million on defender Harry Maguire and £50m on right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Premier League rivals Leicester and Crystal Palace .
It has prompted a rethink in strategy at Old Trafford where Daniel James, 22, has been a big success after a bargain £15m move from Championship Swansea.
Now United scouts are trying to identify other young prospects outside the top-flight who could be available for better value for money.
This will allow United to develop them like James rather than pay top whack for established Premier League players.
It has seen United since linked with several young starlets outside the top-flight including Reading striker Danny Loader, aged 19.
They have also been tipped for potential moves for Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips, 23, and defender Ben White, 22, who is on loan from Brighton .
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has long been an advocate for developing youth talent, and has given opportunities in the first-team for the likes of Mason Greenwood, Angel Gomes and Tahith Chong.
He is also likely to play some academy players in United's Europa League game against Astana in Kazakhstan on Thursday, with their progression to the knockout stages already secured by a 3-0 win over Partizan Belgrade earlier this month.
United fans will be interested in checking out the likes of Largie Ramazani, Dylan Levitt and Ethan Laird, while 19-year-old defender Max Taylor could also feature after ending his treatment for testicular cancer just 12 months ago.
Some of the brightest talents in the Premier League to have been spotted playing at lower levels include Dele Alli, who was plying his trade at MK Dons before signing for Tottenham in 2015, and the league's current top goalscorer Jamie Vardy, who joined Leicester from Fleetwood Town in 2012.
