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Aitor Karanka's close friendship with Jose Mourinho is well-documented. The Middlesbrough FC head coach is asked about it at almost every press conference.

That's not likely to change anytime soon, with the self-proclaimed 'special one' expected to be named Manchester United's new manager following the reported sacking of Louis Van Gaal this lunchtime.

It will be a box office moment on the touchline next season when Mourinho - the master - shakes hands with Karanka - the apprentice.

Ever since he took on the role of assistant boss at Real Madrid, Karanka has been in Mourinho's shadow. But next season - for the first time - the pair will lock horns as Premier League equals.

But what effect will Mourinho's expected arrival at Old Trafford have on Boro, if any?

When Mourinho was Chelsea manager, Karanka was frequently in touch with his good friend - and he got a few favours too .

Boro signed no fewer than five of Chelsea youngsters during his first 18 months on Teesside - Nathaniel Chalobah, Tomas Kalas, Kenneth Omeruo, Jamal Blackman and Patrick Bamford.

So will we see a Man United starlet arriving at the Riverside after Mourinho's expected arrival?

Here's five players who could be available this summer. Should Boro consider any of these in the Premier League next season?

Paddy McNair

The 21-year-old defender broke into the Man United first-team picture this season under Van Gaal, making nine appearances.

A fully-fledged Northern Ireland international, centre-back McNair may be among those allowed to leave Old Trafford on loan next season to continue his development.

His versatility is one of his biggest assets - he can play anywhere across the back-line, and has even slotted into the middle of a three-man midfield for Northern Ireland.

The talented prospect was handed his Premier League debut against West Ham in September 2014 and impressed in a 2-1 victory.

He made a further 12 appearances during his maiden campaign in 2014/15, but saw his game-time limited this season due to a number of niggling injuries.

Nick Powell

Currently on loan at Hull City, the midfielder is actually out of contract this summer and available on a free.

Powell joined Man United from League One's Crewe Alexandra in the summer of 2012, and despite a number of injury setbacks, forced his way into the first-team reckoning.

The 22-year-old has made only three starts for the Red Devils, however, with most of his game-time coming from the bench.

He has spent loan spells at Wigan, Leicester and now Hull, but has struggled to rediscover his top form. Would Boro be willing to take a gamble this summer?

Andreas Pereira

It's been a season of struggle for Brazilian youth international Andreas Pereira, who recently hit out at Van Gaal for his lack of first-team opportunities.

The 20-year-old has played just 78 minutes in the Premier League this season, but did start for the Red Devils against Boro in the Capital One Cup.

"I wanted to be loaned out in January in order to play more and to keep developing myself, but Van Gaal told me that he did not want me to be loaned out," Pereira told Goal .

"He told me to stay in Manchester because he would use me and that I would play."

It remains to be seen whether Pereira will be given a chance at Old Trafford under Mourinho, but if not, would Boro be interested?

The creative midfielder, who signed from PSV Eindhoven in 2012, can play anywhere across the front line - and may be in-demand this summer.

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James Wilson

Another highly-rated prospect at Old Trafford, who has been on loan at Championship side Brighton since November - and played against Boro twice this season.

The 20-year-old forward could be given a top-flight loan move next season, after scoring five goals in 11 starts at the Amex.

Wilson enjoyed a remarkable two-goal Premier League debut in the final home game of the 2013/14 season against Hull City, and has been tipped for big things.

He made 17 appearances for Man United last season, and another two this year before heading to the South Coast - including against Boro in the Capital One Cup.

There's likely to be a long list of admirers again this summer, should he not be given a chance under Mourinho.

Marcus Rashford

The man of the moment right now, with his sensational breakthrough season earning him a place in England's provisional Euro 2016 squad.

But what will next season hold for the 18-year-old? Will he be given a chance under Mourinho at Old Trafford?

He has already shown he can score goals in the top-flight, ending this season with eight to his name.

Many of them were important goals too. Rashford scored a brace against Arsenal and the winner against arch-rivals Manchester City.

It will be very interesting to see whether the rapid forward is given a chance next season under Mourinho, or whether the Portuguese chief will decide that a loan move away is best for the player's development.