Louis van Gaal has given debuts out to a few of United's academy prospects, and Football Manager 16 should allow you to follow in his footsteps with some substantial investment in the next generation of Red Devils.

United's squad has a few components that are creaking with age and those rusty knees of Schweinsteiger or Carrick need to be replaced ASAP in your save on FM16.

Whilst Rooney can probably get a few more seasons if you are intelligent with his game time, United's squad is not up to the standard required to challenge on all fronts - so you must add quality throughout the line-up.

Vidic and Evra may have left, but even United's defence still needs work, despite Chris Smalling's deservedly high ratings and Luke Shaw's world-class potential. The job of gaffer at Old Trafford is one of the highest pressure jobs in the world of sport and you will need intelligent investment to succeed.

Fortunately, here are FIVE wonderkids who could save your squad...

Jack Grealish

Jack Grealish

Boozey boy Grealish will be a tricky character to manage, but the Villa youngster has all the makings of an ideal creator for Anthony Martial and James Wilson.

A dribbling rating to die for and the ability to use both feet make Grealish a great tool to unlock deep defences and the added bonus of a home-grown talent will keep the fans and board happy.

Grealish can play centrally as a number ten or drift into wider positions, but it might be best to utilise this wonderkid centrally to allow Mata and Depay to stick to their roles on the wings.

Alessio Romagnoli

Alessio Romagnoli

The Italians are possibly the greatest producers of top class centre-backs and Romagnoli looks to be the next in line to the defensive throne.

You'll need to part with around £20million to bring this young star in, but his stats will certainly have you considering his signature once you are in charge at Old Trafford.

By your third or fourth season, expect to see Romagnoli with one of the best positioning ratings in world football and he could develop a lock tight central defensive partnership with Smalling.

Bernardo Silva

Bernardo Silva

United did have a famous Portuguese star in the recent past, but can you make Bernardo the next one? His skills may differ from Ronaldo's, but the Monaco man will create chances for your strikers and pop up with the odd goal from his preferred number 10 role.

Similarly to Grealish, Bernardo has an delightful range of skills with the ball at his feet and can take the ball past his man with ease.

As the Portuguese star develops, expect to see his finishing rise to around 15 and hope that his goal input increases!

Leon Goretzka

Leon Goretzka

Midfielders don't come much more complete than Leon Goretzka. All FM fanatics know that Schalke is a brilliant place to go for a star youngster, and Goretzka is the latest off of the production line.

Depending on how you choose to develop him, Goretzka could be a replacement for anyone from Carrick to Juan Mata and the German becomes one of the most rounded players on the game by 2018.

Crucially the high work rate and teamworks ratings make Goretzka a must-sign.

Tin Jedvaj

Tin Jedvaj

Jedvaj might be a centre-back by trade, but you can guarantee that he is a better back-up right-back than either Phil Jones or Antonio Valencia.

Jedvaj is likely to be cheaper than many of the other options on this list, despite being equally as talented. United's fundamental issues this season may have been at the other end of the pitch, but the world of Football Manager is quite different.