Manchester United have a scouting network that is the envy of most clubs, an operation that has grown hugely in recent years and one that few can rival.

From Colombia and Uruguay to Japan and Scandinavia, scouts cover all bases and their number and reach has been growing. The network has trebled in size in Europe, Asia and South America over the last five years, for example.

It's a big investment in United's future - but it is one that will take time to really pay off.

United scouts - now numbering more than 50 - are already aware of the task at hand. New France scout Romain Poirot, for example, was only appointed in September but has been immediately been tasked with finding world-class talents capable of playing for the first team. That is easier said than done.

The main reason for that expansion, brought in as Ed Woodward began his tenure as executive vice-chairman, was not necessarily about bringing in more youngsters but making sure United were doing the correct due diligence before signings are made - at any level.

Take Fred, for example. From April, United sent a scout to watch the Brazilian at every one of Shakhtar Donetsk's home games; two months later, he was signed.

United set out to do their homework even when a player's talent is obvious and David de Gea was watched a whopping 17 times by former goalkeeping coach Eric Steele in 2010/11.

The club apply similar logic with up and coming players. Molde wonderkid Erling Haaland has been watched extensively since scoring four goals in front of scout Tommy Moller Nielsen back in July.

United did not panic when the 18-year-old made headlines around the world in that game against Brann whereas, perhaps, once upon a time, such a performance would have convinced them to pull the trigger.

At younger age groups, it is a similar story.

Ranheim midfielder Odin Thiago Holm caught the eye at the Sambor Youth Cup in Poland last summer, scoring five goals from midfield, and followed that up with a man-of-the-match performance as he captained Norway's under-15s against Sweden last month.

Rather than uprooting Holm for a trial, United are working alongside Ranheim to make sure the time's right.

"The trial will most likely happen in January," a Ranheim club source previously confirmed to M.E.N. Sport. "He will finish this season with Ranheim, and a trial will happen after Christmas.

"Odin is enjoying his football at the moment and works hard every day in training to become a better player."

Although Norwegian football has suffered since the golden generation of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ronny Johnsen and Henning Berg ran riot, United have made a conscious effort to take a look at the country's hottest prospects in recent months.

David Harrison, the club's head of scouting and recruitment, was pictured in Tromso in October with Isak Hansen-Aaron among those grabbing his attention.

The 14-year-old spent time at United in December, 2017, where he was put through his paces by coaches at Carrington after previously having a trial at Liverpool.

This feels like a concerted effort by the club. Time will tell whether it pays off.