Manchester United boast one of the most successful academies throughout world football, with it’s alumni including Bobby Charlton, George Best, Paul Pogba and of course, the ever-fabled Class of 92 – who went onto such unprecedented greatness they’ve even got their own documentary.
Likewise, Louis van Gaal is a manager famed for his ability to spot young talents and nurture them to worldly levels. Over the years, he’s issued debuts to Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Thomas Muller, Toni Kroos and Clarence Seedorf to name just a few.
But with so many new arrivals at Manchester United last summer and as many expected during this transfer window, the Red Devils’ current crop of youngsters might find first team opportunities a little harder to come by next season.
So thank the transfer gods for the English loan system, which has propped up the Football League for years whilst giving young players vital exposure to senior football.
And it’s with that in mind Football Fancast have listed the FIVE youngsters United should send out on loan next term.
PADDY MCNAIR
Paddy McNair firmly surpassed expectations when thrown into the deep end by Louis van Gaal at the start of last season, helping the Red Devils claim four clean sheets from his 16 Premier League outings despite previously struggling to even make the academy’s starting Xi according to Phil Neville.
But with signing a new centre-back still a leading priority for Manchester United this summer, the 20 year-old defender might find first team opportunities a little harder to come by next season.
Furthermore, the Northern Ireland international received no prior exposure to senior level, so getting some more games and experience under his belt can do no harm.
Either a starting role at a Championship club or a cameo capacity for a lower table Premier League outfit is what McNair should be aiming for in terms of a loan move.
NICK POWELL
Having now served three campaigns at Old Trafford and undergone two loan spells of limited success away from the club, it’s sink or swim time for prodigious youngster Nick Powell.
Sir Alex Ferguson saw fit to splash out £6million on the striker-come-midfielder in summer 2012 following an impressive campaign at Crewe but he’s yet to prove truly worth the investment, managing just 6 first team outings for the Red Devils and a paltry three whilst on loan at Leicester City last season.
No doubt, the 21 year-old is a talented prospect but he only seems to be moving further away from the starting XI. With just a year remaining on his contract, only a successful loan stint at a Premier League club next season can likely turn his Red Devils career around.
That, however, is dependent on whether the England U21 survives the summer.
Andreas Pereira
Louis van Gaal clearly has high hopes U21 Player of the Year winner Andreas Pereira. He handed the Brazil U20 a Premier League debut against Tottenham in March and has since issued him a three year contract extension.
The 19 year-old, who reached the U20 World Cup final with Selecao last month, is clearly one of the brightest prospects currently in the Red Devils’ academy set-up.
But he seems more than ready to now test the waters at senior level. Although regular top flight football might be a little beyond him at this moment in time, a spell in the Championship or abroad could suit him perfectly.
Pereira’s father, however, has suggested he won’t be sent out on loan.
JESSE LINGARD
Louis van Gaal certainly seems fond of Jesse Lingard, issuing him a Premier League debut during his first competitive fixture as Manchester United boss at the start of last season.
The attacking midfielder was unfortunate enough, however, to be stretchered off injured after just a matter of minutes, which saw him instead spend the season on loan at Derby County after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
At 22 years of age, Lingard – although highly-rated – needs to be advancing at little quicker if he’s to become a long-term fixture at Old Trafford.
He’s impressed during spells in the Football League before so he seems more than ready to test himself with a cameo role in the top flight.
And having emerged as one of the few success stories from the England U21s’ woeful European Championship campaign, there should be plenty of Premier League clubs interested in the Warrington-born youngster.
ADNAN JANUZAJ
For a player of such obvious talent and prior hype, winger Adnan Januzaj was in disappointing form last season, failing to record a single goal or assist in 850 minutes’ worth of Premier League football.
Admittedly, it was a tricky season at Old Trafford and the £59.8million arrival of Angel Di Maria last summer appeared to all but end his chances of being a starting Xi regular.
He’s a supremely talented kid, however, and at 20 years of age still has plenty of time to make up for his lack of progress last season. But the recent arrival of Memphis Depay and contract extension of Ashley Young have hardly improved his first team chances, so a loan move seems necessary to ensure the game time Januzaj needs.
The Belgium international seems more than comfortable at Premier League level and Everton have already expressed an interest, which seems like as good a home as any for the 5 foot 11 winger.
