Manchester United wonderkid Ethan Laird has signed for Swansea City on a one-year loan deal, the clubs have confirmed. The Championship side will hope that Laird provides a boost to get over the line in their promotion bid, having reached the playoff final last season.
Wonderkid Ethan Laird Signs for Swansea City on Loan
Impressive on Loan Last Campaign
This is not Laird’s first loan in the EFL, neither is it his first with new Swansea boss Russell Martin. The English fullback spent the second half of last season under Martin at MK Dons, and impressed many with his ability both defensively and further up the pitch.
These performances have earned him the big step up that this move to Wales is, getting the opportunity to gain winning experience in a team that is not far off being of Premier League quality at all. Martin was evidently so impressed by Laird last season that he thought the defender was capable of playing at such a high level and has decided to sign him for a second time.
Highly Rated at Old Trafford
Laird is one of the Red Devils’ most highly-rated youngsters at the club, alongside the likes of James Garner, Hannibal Mejbri, Anthony Elanga, and Joe Hugill.
The Englishman is seen as a future star for the club, and may as soon as next season be kept in and around the first-team to provide competition for current starting right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, although the Manchester side’s reported search for a backup right-sided defender could delay this an extra year or two.
Laird’s excellent potential is the reason why the Red Devils are reportedly chasing Kieran Trippier rather than someone younger.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen to create some competition for Wan-Bissaka having seen the drastic effect that the acquisition of Alex Telles has had on Luke Shaw, but doesn’t want such a signing to harm Laird’s development in any way. Being 30 years of age and still a top-quality player in his own right, Trippier would be the perfect man to fit the bill, young enough to play regularly, but old enough that he won’t be in his prime by the time he is no longer required.
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