It was not all that long ago that Manchester United could go out and hand-pick any player of their choice without any real form of competition.
But if they are to win the battle for one of English football's hottest prospects, they are going to have to dig out their boxing gloves and be prepared to fight.
Just four games into the new Championship campaign, Sunderland find themselves sitting pretty at the top of the table with a 100 per cent record. READ MORE: Alejandro Garnacho's reaction shows what United have to do after Liverpool defeat READ MORE: Roy Keane slams two United players for their roles in opening Liverpool goal Their 3-1 win over Portsmouth secured a fourth win in as many games, meaning they have won each of their opening four league matches for the first time in 99 years.
To say new head coach Regis Le Bris has made an immediate impact is an understatement. Though Jude Bellingham's younger brother, Jobe, carries the most famous name in the squad, it is fellow youngster Chris Rigg who is attracting almost all of the attention.