Why Manchester United are left kicking themselves over James Garner as Everton continue to profit

Manchester United spent huge amounts on revitalising their midfield this summer, yet it is Everton favourite James Garner they could desperately do with.

Everton snapped up the versatile midfielder from United four years ago for a fee of under £10million.

The decision to sell 'one of their own' did not go down well with the United fanbase at the time - and rightly so.

Garner has been a big hit on Merseyside, where he was born, and has made 125 appearances for the Toffees in all competitions.

United's loss has very much been Everton's gain - and will continue to be so.

A new claim has now emerged from inside Old Trafford with regards to Garner.

The perfect nickname given to James Garner

Thomas Tuchel was the manager who nicknamed Garner his 'mini-Valverde' earlier this year.

That was in reference to Real Madrid's Federico Valverde, who is one of the best in the world at what he does.

However, in a piece from Mike McGrath in The Times' print edition on Friday, the journalist came up with another nickname that is very apt: "The footballers' footballer."

This nicely sums up Garner, who will always do what is asked of him by David Moyes - and now Tuchel on the international stage.

McGrath points out in his piece how Garner is considered "the one that got away" by those at Old Trafford.

United are living with transfer regret as, despite spending £120million on new midfielders this summer, it could be argued none are as good as Garner.

Four years on from his United exit, it is perhaps only now they are realising what they had.

Who inspired Garner growing up?

Garner has been in the media spotlight after being called up by Tuchel once again for England's upcoming Nations League matches.

The 25-year-old has been asked numerous questions, one of which being who was he inspired by growing up?

The answer is a somewhat surprising one: Nemanja Vidic. Surprising in a sense that Vidic was a centre-back.

However, Garner was himself a central defender at a young age prior to moving into a more advanced position at the age of 15.

It was only because of an injury to a teammate that Garner became a central midfielder, though even now he remains very versatile.

That is something Moyes and Everton can hopefully continue to profit from for years to come.