It's difficult not to begin by discussing the furore surrounding England's World Cup selection, or rather the lack thereof for Manchester United's Harry Maguire, alongside Luke Shaw.

In Maguire's case, in particular, the shock has been widespread at his omission, the 33-year-old having been a vital figure for Michael Carrick's side since January.

Digging a little deeper, perhaps Thomas Tuchel's bold call was always likely to be the case, however, with Maguire only making three appearances for his country since Euro 2024, a tournament he missed through injury. Shaw, meanwhile, hasn't featured at all since the showpiece defeat to Spain.

There will at least be another major tournament chance for a resurgent Kobbie Mainoo, with those of a United persuasion likely hoping to see a relationship blossom between the 21-year-old and reported summer target, Elliot Anderson.

Anderson, by all accounts, is sadly Manchester City-bound, with the Nottingham Forest man merely one of many on the club's summer list of targets.

Man Utd have opened talks to sign £50m Premier League star

There may be those of a United persuasion who care little about the events unfolding surrounding the Three Lions camp, but the upcoming World Cup will have a significant bearing on the club's transfer business, whatever way you cut it.

Indeed, there's an urgency needed when it comes to making early moves, with this bumper, expanded tournament merely weeks away, kicking off on 11 June.

There have been reports previously which suggested that INEOS could look to wrap up a pre-World Cup deal for Brighton and Hove Albion's Carlos Baleba, having already agreed personal terms with the Cameroonian.

That interest in Baleba is no real surprise, however, with a more intriguing name arguably that of Bournemouth's Alex Scott, the Guernsey-born playmaker featured on The Athletic's latest update regarding United's midfield search.

As per journalist Laurie Whitwell, the Red Devils have already opened talks to ascertain how much it would cost to sign the 22-year-old this summer, with the Englishman said to be 'well-liked' by the Old Trafford hierarchy.

Scott's contract with the Cherries currently runs until 2028, as per the report, with prior reports indicating that he could fetch north of £50m.

Why Alex Scott looks like another Scholes in the making

For a brief time, it looked as if Scott might have produced the defining moment in the title race, the former Bristol City man skipping into the Arsenal penalty area before sweeping home to secure a 2-1 win for Andoni Iraola's side at the Emirates.

Signed by the Cherries back in 2023, the midfielder's talent has been evident for a long while now, although this felt like his breakout moment, having run the show against the Gunners.

Already called up by Tuchel this season, albeit while omitted from the German's World Cup squad, Scott was previously a key part in England's triumph in the U21 Euros last summer, shining in the midfield alongside Anderson.

As noted by the Daily Mail's Nathan Salt, the pair are "best mates", with there perhaps a connection there to be built on, if United can bring both men to Old Trafford this summer.

That might be a mere pipedream, yet even securing Scott on his own would represent a coup for Carrick and co, the right-footer such a balletic, graceful talent to watch.

It may be hyperbolic to say, but there is almost a Paul Scholes vibe to the manner of his performances, the Bournemouth man dropping deep to influence play, so effective between the lines.

While, like Scholes, Scott may have started out as a more advanced, playmaking number ten, he has been moulded into something of an all-rounder under Iraola, a key progressive force in the centre of the park.

He's not necessarily prolific, nor a key provider, having registered just three goals and one assist in the Premier League this season, yet, again, like Scholes, this is not a player defined by statistics.

Watching Scott glide across the pitch really is a sight to behold, while he so often seeks to get on the ball, the midfield lynchpin in a youthful, all-action Cherries side.

Against United only recently, for instance, he racked up 82 touches, completed 100% of his tackles, duels and successful dribbles, while also registering two key passes, bossing proceedings while facing off against Casemiro and co.

There is clearly another side to his game too, with the combative number eight averaging a respectable 2.6 tackles and interceptions per game this season, not too far off Casemiro's return of 3.5.

In Scholes' case, the legendary treble winner might have been known more for a late, reckless challenge, but he too had that edge to his game, boasting the much-needed steel to match the silk.

That is very much true in Scott's case, with United's midfield having long been crying out for that type of floating, metronomic figure, someone whose ball-playing quality simply shines through.

His pal Anderson is the rising English midfielder out there, but overlooking Scott's own Scholes-like ability would be a mistake for the INEOS hierarchy.