COMMENT: Manchester United or Bournemouth? For Demarai Gray, the decision should be a no-brainer. It has to be... Bournemouth, right?
Birmingham City were approached by Manchester United earlier this month about the 18 year-old winger, who has been watched by the country's biggest clubs. Nothing has developed beyond an enquiry and registration of interest. But United are expected to return with a firm bid next month.
Representing United in talks is U21 coach Warren Joyce - which should be an ominous sign for the Gray camp. At Birmingham, he's a first teamer, Blues manager Gary Rowett rates him as "Premier League quality". Is he really willing to step back into U21 football next season?
Wilfried Zaha is a prime example of what the future will be if Gray chooses Old Trafford. Zaha is now proving himself "Premier League quality". But only after returning to Crystal Palace after a disastrous time in Manchester. It wasn't just the step up at match level Zaha found overwhelming, it was even the intensity of United training.
If that's not enough to put Gray off, then we give you Adnan Januzaj. Even yesterday, he was left alongside Angel di Maria on the bench for United's 1-1 draw with Arsenal. After all his success last season under David Moyes, Januzaj has become this campaign's version of Zaha at United. There's talk of him failing to adapt to Van Gaal's system and ignoring the manager's instructions. Even claims from inside the camp that he was "overplayed" last season and needed to be fielded gradually this term. Is Gray, at 18, going to be happy with a similar approach? Is this what the young Blue needs at this stage of his career?
Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt have urged Van Gaal to involve more of the U21s in the final games of the season. There's real concern that many U21 players are debating whether there remains a path to the first team under the Dutchman.
Perhaps if we'd seen Januzaj, James Wilson and Andreas Pereira on the pitch yesterday, you could mount an argument that Gray should give the United offer serious thought. But not on today's evidence.
Bournemouth and Dean Court - in the Premier League - appears a great move for Gray.
Unlike at United, where Joyce is driving the deal, Gray knows he's rated by Cherries boss Eddie Howe. After all, he's been the subject of FIVE offers from Bournemouth this season. He's a wanted man there.
Howe plays a style of football which would suit Gray's exciting game and while there would be pressure to stay up, you fancy the manager will keep it away from his players - just as Sean Dyche has with Burnley this season.
Gray would have a stage to show the country what he's capable of. And just like Charlie Austin and QPR, should it all end in relegation, if he's done well, Gray won't follow Bournemouth back into the Championship.
But in the short-term, Gray would be able to see a direct path to the first team. You fancy at United, it will be U21 football, then perhaps a loan to a Championship club. At Dean Court, there'll be no hesitation. He'll be expected to challenge for a first team place.
Gray has the talent and the potential to reach the level of Manchester United. But to get there, he needs that intermediate step. And he couldn't ask for better than playing for Howe at Bournemouth in the Premier League.
