Manchester United Transfer Rumours: United Would Be Smart to Chase Ryan Gauld

Manchester United are reported to be just one of several Premier League outfits chasing the signature of Dundee United sensation Ryan Gauld this winter, in a move that would make a lot of sense for the Premier League champions.

According to the Mirror's Steve Bates, United are keen to tie up a deal worth an initial £3 million for Dundee United's teenage starlet, plus three preseason friendlies next summer to make up for some future payment.

The apparent offer may not be seen as sufficient, however, with an excerpt from Bates' report reading:

"However, United’s bid falls well below the Tannadice club’s £6m valuation of the 17-year-old Scotland Under-21 midfielder, who is also on the radar of Real Madrid."

However talented their current crop of first-team options may be, the Red Devils have never been a club willing to bat an eyelid when it comes to securing the future of their squad, always keeping a portion of their attention on the next generation.

In that vein, Gauld certainly ranks as one of the hottest assets on the market right now, and David Moyes' side are one of several interested in the youngster's services.

Gauld has burst onto the Scottish Premiership scene this season and has seen his star rise so rapidly that teammates have taken to calling their maestro "mini-Messi" on account of his small stature and direct style of play, according to BBC Sport's Jonathan Sutherland.

Scottish Sun editor Gordon Smart is one such figure who's believing in Gauld's potential:

Although Gauld plays largely from the flanks, it wouldn't be just to label the youngster a "winger" per se, as his style relies largely on cutting into the central channels, too, more of a throwback to the wide midfielders that appear to have gone out of fashion in recent years.

The Aberdeen native drew mass attention in November when he contributed an assist to each of Dundee United's goals in their 4-1 drubbing of Partick Thistle.

The feat was no anomaly, however, as just six days later, Gauld was back at his club's creative core, notching three assists in the 5-2 Scottish Cup win over Kilmarnock.

Clearly meant for bigger things, it seems the race is on for this talent's signature, and it would be smart business for Moyes to get in early for his countryman.

After all, it was only earlier this year that Wilfried Zaha was signed from Crystal Palace for a fee that could eventually rise to £15 million, but the player is yet to make a Premier League appearance. Some four years younger, Gauld is now making similar waves yet would cost less than half of that sum.

Adnan Januzaj has been a recent example that the youth at Old Trafford can make an immediate impact on first-team matters at Manchester United, but even if Gauld were to wait several seasons for his senior bow, his development would undoubtedly benefit from the backing of the Premier League champions.