Manchester United finished the season strongly with a statement 3-0 win against Brighton, and Bruno Fernandes finally broke the elusive Premier League assist record. 

It had been a turbulent time towards the end of Erik Ten Hag and Ruben Amorim's respective reigns at the club. The likes of Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire were all ostracised at different points, but each proved to be key stars under Michael Carrick. 

With the summer transfer window on the horizon, the rumour mill has begun to churn out many links to players who could join the squad. 

However, this window will also be vital for outgoing players, with some big decisions needed on certain stars. 

The season has been a tale of two halves for Mainoo. From being on the brink of a loan move to Napoli to now signing a new five-year deal at the club and a World Cup call-up.

His talent has been clear for all to see ever since his breakthrough in the 23/24 season, but he seems to have gone up a level under Carrick. 

Despite it seeming like his long-term future will be at Old Trafford, it has not stopped whispers of Premier League rivals plotting a move for the Englishman. 

According to the Chelsea Forum (via TeamTalk), new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso sees Mainoo as the perfect fit for his system, with internal discussions happening about the player. 

The former Spanish midfielder sees Mainoo as glue in his system, similar to the role of Granit Xhaka during his time at Bayer Leverkusen. 

However, any move away from Mainoo holds little appeal for United, leaving this rumour as potentially just whispers. 

In a season where there was a real possibility that Amorim could end United's record of having an academy player in the matchday squad since 1937, it has been a breath of fresh air under Carrick. 

The United legend, where possible, has been a constant fixture at the academy fixtures, with him and Fernandes being seen at the FA Youth Cup final. 

It shows how, throughout time, academy graduates are the very heart of the club and will always continue to be. Even during the club's darkest period in modern history, it has been the academy through Mainoo, Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard and Scott McTominay who have delivered for the club. 

It is never a guarantee that they go on to be like the aforementioned players, but under any trophy-winning side, there is always an academy product present. Selling academy players who are clear stars of the team like Mainoo would be like removing the soul of the team and what the likes of Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson stood for.