Manchester United could be set to commit a huge transfer clanger with a decision they have made on the future of defender Teden Mengi.

The 18-year-old joined Derby County on loan in January for a first taste of senior football and has suitably impressed, with reports from The Athletic indicating that a decision has been made for the youngster to rejoin the Rams next season as well.

Considering the rumours that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to bolster his defensive options next season, allowing Mengi to leave Old Trafford once more next term could be a glaring mistake from the manager.

After joining Wayne Rooney’s struggling side, the youngster has racked up eight appearances in the Championship, six of those being starts.

Mengi has certainly caught the eye in that time, with Rooney labelling his performances as “excellent”, and that form could have seen him forge a space in the Red Devils squad, especially in the vacant centre-back spot.

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It could potentially be argued that it is slightly too early for Mengi to be in contention considering his age and inexperience.

However, the Red Devils have seen in the past that a vast number of their academy graduates are ready for first team football even with little opportunities out on-loan – Marcus Rashford, Scott McTominay, Mason Greenwood and Brandon Williams all being excellent examples in the current squad at Old Trafford.

Should Solskjaer bring in a new centre-back whilst Mengi is plying his trade on loan at Derby County for a second season, this could potentially see his chances of first team football evaporate with the Red Devils.

Linked with potential big-money arrivals such as Gianluca Mancini, Edmond Tapsoba and Raphael Varane, it therefore seems unfathomable that Solskjaer would fork out a huge amount when Mengi is surely ready to be afforded an opportunity.

Allowing the youngster a place in the first team would also allow transfer funds to be spent elsewhere, potentially in attack with the likes of Erling Haaland apparently on the club's shopping list.

Sending Mengi out on loan once again could be a huge error on behalf of the Old Trafford club.

AND in more news, find out which Man Utd colossus the club must sell in the summer...