2 years ago
Man Utd star Ethan Laird closing in on Watford loan transfer with Erik ten Hag wanting youngster to get game time
MANCHESTER UNITED prospect Ethan Laird is reportedly heading to Watford on loan. The Red Devils rate their 20-year-old right-back highly but feel he will benefit from regular games with the Championship heavyweights, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. 1 Manchester United are keen to get promising defender Ethan Laird more game timeCredit: EPA The Hornets are thought to want Laird for their whole season back in the second tier. Laird also had Championship loan moves with Swansea and Bournemouth last season. And this summer he went with the Red Devils' first-team squad on their pre-season tour of Australia. Laird is behind fellow right-backs Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka in United's pecking order but with question marks over both of their Old Trafford futures he may get his chance. His pace and quality with the ball going forward makes him an ideal prospect for new United boss Erik ten Hag to develop into a top full-back. An impressive stint under Rob Edwards at a Watford side relegated from the Prem last season will do his chances no harm at all. Romano, who regularly provides an inside track, says his switch to Vicarage Road is imminent. He tweeted: "Manchester United and Watford are prepared to complete the agreement for Ethan Laird on loan. FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS - BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS "The deal to is to be finalised this week. "Ten Hag is happy with his potential and attitude but Laird needs to play, and Watford are intentioned to proceed with loan deal."
Ethan Laird set to join Watford
Manchester United prospect Ethan Laird is reportedly set to join Championship club Watford on a season-long loan deal. According to a report by Manchester Evening News, Manchester United prospect Ethan Laird is set to join Watford on a year-long loan. This will be the 20-year-old right-back’s third loan spell with an EFL Championship club after having represented Swansea City and Bournemouth. Ethan Laird is a Manchester United youth product and rose through the ranks to earn his first-team debut in the 2019/20 season, where he played in the UEFA Europa League no less. He impressed in the few chances that he was afforded. And to continue his development, Manchester United sent the youngster out on loan to MK Dons in the 2020 summer transfer window. Then, with Diogo Dalot returning from his loan spell with AC Milan loan and Aaron Wan-Bissaka already in the squad as the first-choice right-back, chances were going to come few and far between for Laird last summer. Swansea City came to the rescue, taking him on a year-long deal to the EFL Championship last summer. He was a regular for the Welsh club, making 20 appearances in the Championship before his loan spell was cut short and he joined Bournemouth in January instead. Laird turned out just six times for the Cherries and has now returned to Manchester United following his latest spell away from Old Trafford. Manchester United and Watford are prepared to complete the agreement for Ethan Laird on loan. Deal to be finalised this week. ? #MUFC Ten Hag, happy with his potential and attitude but Laird needs to play – Watford are intentioned to proceed with loan deal. pic.twitter.com/XtGTAOeliC — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 1, 2022 Laird travelled on Manchester United’s pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia and looked at ease. But with Dalot and Wan-Bissaka still at the club, and Manchester United reportedly on the hunt for another right-back, Laird is set for another loan spell away from Old Trafford. Watford, who suffered relegation from the Premier League in the 2021/22 season, have emerged as the favourites for the young defensive prospect’s signature and are set to sign him on loan for the upcoming campaign. Ajax were also said to be interested in the English youngster. For now, Dalot is Erik ten Hag’s preferred choice for the right-back slot, but Manchester United are said to be eager to strengthen the department. Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries has recently been linked with a move to Old Trafford.
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