United to Loan Out Young Talent

Eye on youth
By Chris O'Brien
July 25 2006

Manchester United will continue with their policy of loaning out young talent following its success last season. The Red Devils sent some 16 starlets out on loan last term, and will once again ship out players to pick up valuable first-team experience this season.

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that many of the club's younger players will spend the 2006/2007 season away from Old Trafford on loan deals.

United sent some 16 young players out on loan last season, with Ben Foster, David Jones and Chris Eagles three examples of how moving players out on a temporary basis can prove invaluable for their development as professionals. It now appears the club will adopt a similar strategy next season, with Fergie confirming many of his starlets will be made available for loan.

"The loan system is working, without question," said the United boss. "The Premier Reserve League is now more like a youth league. There’s now very few teams in the reserve league playing mature players; it’s all young players.

"So therefore, by putting them on loan you give them far more competitive football and also more physical football. And they come back, without question, much better."

As reported here on ManUtdWeb, the club are already in negotiations with Watford about Foster returning to Vicarage Road for a season, whilst sources suggest Championship clubs have already made enquiries about Giuseppe Rossi and Gerald Pique.