Manchester United are seemingly prepared to let 21-year old Scott McTominay leave on a loan deal in January, a move which is likely to spark the interest of several Championship clubs.

The Scottish international has made four appearances for Jose Mourinho's side this season, the most recent coming as they beat Newcastle United 3-2 in the Premier League.

However, Mourinho is now reported to be willing to allow the youngster to move to a club where he can get six months regular football away from the glare of the Old Trafford spotlight.

Aston Villa are being touted as one of those clubs as they hunt a route back into the Premier League. Dean Smith has just taken over at Villa Park and he'll be looking to bring the squad together, tighten it up and move forward.

Could McTominay be a part of that? Here are some potential consequences if Scott McTominay moves to Aston Villa.

Tactically there might be a change on the horizon but a move for McTominay would surely facilitate that.

Smith played a 4-2-3-1 whilst at Brentford, markedly different to 4-4-1-1 that Villa played.

McTominay would suit the Brentford formation more, allowing the attacking players more freedom with the safety of a two man midfield to protect the defence.

It could spell the end for Birkir Bjarnason as a Villa player. He's been on the fringes for a while and if one comes in, one is almost certain to go out. With John McGinn to get squeezed in as well there's going to be a glut of midfielders at the club should a move come off.

Bjarnason is contracted until 2012, but Mile Jedinak is out of contract this summer. He could be the unlucky loser if Villa want to secure a small fee before he leaves for free.

There might be a call for McTominay to play in a different role to his usual ball-winning midfield berth.

If Smith chooses to accommodate many of the attacking players he has at his disposal, could McTominay be asked to play deeper, maybe even in the back four?

He won't be a cheap option and if he comes in, they have to play him somewhere otherwise it would defy the purpose of the loan.