This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Sunderland manager Phil Parkinson is looking to strengthen his squad in the January transfer window, with Manchester United midfielder James Garner a target, according to a report by the Daily Mail, a move that could give the youngster a decent amount of playing time in the competitive environment of League One.

The England U19 international has played for the United first team already, but he has a lot more to do before he can establish himself as a regular and is unlikely to feature much over the second half of the season at Old Trafford, as United try and secure a Champions League spot.

So would Garner be a good fit the the Stadium of Light, is he needed and would he make the starting XI?

We discuss.........

Chris Gallagher

"I'm not sure about this one.

"Garner is obviously highly-rated after coming through the ranks at United but Sunderland need someone who can make an instant impact.

"The youngster may take time to adapt to League One and Phil Parkinson's way of playing and that makes this deal a potential risk to the Black Cats.

"That's not to say it would be a problem if they brought Garner in because he appears to have a good mentality and the hunger to succeed but it's critical that Sunderland win promotion this season and finding someone proven at this level may be the better approach."

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Luke Phelps

“James Garner is a player garnering some good first-team experience at Manchester United, and at only 18-years-old. He’s a Premier League appearance to his name in both this and last season, and a hatful of Europa League appearances too.

“He’s not yet scored for the first-team but he’s shown in the development squad, and with the England U19 side that he’s capable of finding the net, and I think this could be a really good signing for Sunderland, and an even better opportunity for Garner.

“Sunderland look like they need a bit of mid-season revitalisation. They’ve slowly established themselves as promotion contenders under Phil Parkinson but the cracks are still there - Sunderland have scored just 36 goals in 26 League One games this season, hardly the tally of a team that gets promoted.

“It’d inevitably be a risk for both parties and one that could ultimately go wrong. But Sunderland don’t have much to lose with this one. Parkinson still runs the risk of losing Mark McNulty this window, but Garner could be an even better replacement.”

Toby Wilding

"This is an interesting one.

"Sunderland certainly seem keen to bring in a midfielder, and given his recruitment by a club the size of United, he does seem to have the potential to make an impact throughout his career.

"However, when you consider Garner's lack of experience at senior level, there may well be some concern as to whether or not he is ready for the pressure and expectation of the battle for promotion to the Championship that Sunderland find themselves in.

"Indeed, given United would surely expect Garner to feature regularly were he to make the move, this could be a risk for Sunderland if he is given those opportunities but fails to adapt, since it would of course take a place in the XI that would otherwise go to a more experienced and established member of the squad."