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3 Manchester United youth players ready for first-team next season

By Vatsal Gupta

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 07: Detailed view of a corner flag with the Manchester United badge on ahead of the Premier League match between Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford on August 07, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 07: Detailed view of a corner flag with the Manchester United badge on ahead of the Premier League match between Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford on August 07, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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Ethan Laird

Manchester United’s precarious situation with the Financial Fair Play and uncertainty over club ownership could be advantageous to the club’s youngsters. Ideally, United would need to sign a striker, a midfielder, a right-back, and a centre-back in case of outgoings. However, the financial situation dictates that United might have to make do with only a couple of those spots filled through big acquisitions.

This is where a multi-utility player like Ethan Laird comes into the picture. An RB by trade, Laird is also comfortable playing on the left. Both Aaron wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot have convinced this season but neither has done so with consistency. This is why United are looking for a solution for that position.

Manchester United youth ethan laird at QPR
NORWICH, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 02: Ethan Laird of Queens Park Rangers during the Sky Bet Championship between Norwich City and Queens Park Rangers at Carrow Road on November 2, 2022 in Norwich, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images) /

Laird was highly rated in the academy but has had his progress hampered by injuries. A perfect modern fullback, this season Laird has managed to put the injury worries behind him to an extent. He has made 27 appearances on loan at QPR across all competitions.

If he can manage to have a sustained run in the first-team as the season end approaches, he can leverage that momentum to break through at United during the pre-season. The path to contention will never be as straightforward as this due to the position he plays. It is up to him to make the most of it.

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