Manchester United's  summer is building up to be one of the most important in the clubs recent history. This is due to the fact that it seems the club will achieve Champions League football, and positive signings could spring board United back to challenging for numerous major trophies next season.

An area of the pitch has already been a major topic of discussion for the upcoming window is the midfield. With Casemiro's departure having already been announced earlier in the season, the search for a replacement has been underway for a while.

Many names have been thrown into the hat, with Carlos Baleba being a leading favourite as well as Sandro Tonali, both being recognisable Premier League talents that would come with a hefty price tag.

However, legendary Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand has revealed which player he thinks his former team should be looking to sign, and it may be a name that some fans have never heard of.

Ferdinand recently revealed his ideal midfield replacement for Casemiro whilst speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents, putting Elliot Anderson ahead of Newcastle duo Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes.

But the former England international also threw out a candidate who has not been linked with the move yet, insisting that Dutch sensation Kees Smit from AZ Alkmaar, who may be available for around £22 million, is the player that United should be setting their sights on.

Ferdinand explained, "Kees Smit is the truth man, I'm telling you.

"He's one you go, 'I'm buying him'. It doesn't have to be for now. I hope he does come in and takes the world by storm, but if we've got to wait six months to a year for him, I do not care. We cannot let him go elsewhere.

"I've seen him play a couple of times now and that's all I need to see. I've seen the clips... man. I've spoken to some guys in Holland, friends. The kid has got it."

Smit is a player that will be unknown to many, which in itself is not a bad thing and will relieve some of the pressure of not being a big name if the 20-year-old was to make the switch from the Netherlands to England.

Smit has had his breakthrough season in the Eredivisie with AZ Alkmaar, picking up interest from European giants Real Madrid in the process. He is a player that links up play, gluing the squad together and doing jobs flashier players won't.

Not being a huge presence physically means the Dutch international has honed in his skills of being able to progress play, and being incredibly consistent in possession of the ball.

On paper, Smit seems like the ideal player to play alongside United's star man Bruno Fernandes, doing the work that allows the Portuguese international to focus on producing the moments of magic he is so well-known for.

However, with interest from other clubs, and Smit only being 20-years-old it seems a transfer for the future, which will provide the midfielder with time to develop before making the daunting move to the Premier League.