Manchester United are in the market for at least two midfielders this summer, and one potential target shone against them for Bournemouth on Friday night

It was a day of contrasting fortunes for two players who began it waiting to see if they were in the final England squad before the World Cup. Harry Maguire’s recall puts him in the frame for the summer, but the decision to axe Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott probably ends his hopes of going to the tournament.

Both had to push their emotions to one side when Manchester United turned up at the Vitality Stadium and it turned into an evening of very different outcomes for the pair. Maguire’s joy turned to despair when he was sent off for conceding a penalty, while Scott turned in a superb performance to win the man of the match award.

The 22-year-old would have been understandably frustrated to see the size of Thomas Tuchel’s squad increase to 35, only for his name to be scrubbed from the smaller list in November. He is probably the victim of Kobbie Mainoo’s renaissance at Old Trafford.

Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our United WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. You can also join our United Facebook page by clicking HERE and don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.

That might have given Scott extra motivation coming into this game and if it did, he used the fuel in the right way. Mainoo was very good for United, but Scott was even better for the Cherries.

He hit the crossbar with one brilliant shot from distance, created two chances for team-mates, won all four duels, completed his only dribble and made 62 of his 69 passes. This was a performance to remind Tuchel that he is still one to keep an eye on for the future.

READ MORE: Premier League explain Harry Maguire red card amid Man United anger over Amad decisionREAD MORE: Man United next five fixtures compared to Champions League rivals after chaotic Bournemouth draw

It has been something of a breakthrough season for the former Bristol City midfielder and England Under-21 international. He has featured in every Premier League game for Andoni Iraola’s side, starting 28 of them, and has played every minute of the last 11. His influence is growing on the south coast.

But as a young English midfielder with two years left on his contract, his performances have attracted admiring glances, not least from United, who have run the rule over a number of Premier League midfielders this summer as they look to sign two new central players.

They are targeting an elite-level No. 6 to replace Casemiro and are likely to also need a replacement for Manuel Ugarte. Scott wears the No. 8 for Bournemouth and carries a threat heading towards the opposition goal, but he would add depth to the United squad and could compete with Mainoo for that role.

FOLLOW OUR MAN UNITED FB PAGE! Latest news and analysis via the MEN’s Manchester United Facebook page

If United finish the job and return to the Champions League next season, they will need greater depth in their squad and someone like Scott could provide that. If they become a more possession-dominant side, then dribblers like Scott, who can take opposition players out of the game with his footwork, will become even more important.

He is one of many midfielders that United have run the rule over this summer. Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton have all been considered, while they have recently renewed interest in Wolves’ Brazilian international Joao Gomes.

Scott’s performance against United will certainly have caught the eye. Impressing against a team who have shown some interest in you can never hurt. Iraola is certainly delighted with Scott’s performances, insisting he has never seen him play as well as he is this season.

“He has been playing like this consistently,” the Bournemouth head coach said after the game. “It’s not just today, he has been very good. I think he has been giving us these performances consistently lately.

“I’ve said it before the game, he’s in the best form I’ve seen him in these three seasons here. But I also understand too well in the sense that, if you consider [James] Garner, Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson, they are incredible players. You have such a good national team.

“I hope he continues playing like this and maybe he has a chance at the end of the season because he’s doing everything from his side to be considered.”

He’s also doing everything to be considered to be the latest Bournemouth player to earn a move elsewhere.