Man Utd announce January transfer window exit as player agrees to loan move

Manchester United have announced that midfielder Charlie Savage has joined Forest Green on loan until the end of the season.

The 19-year-old, who featured in United's pre-season and mid-World Cup tours, will join up with Duncan Ferguson's side as they battle to escape the League One relegation zone.

Rovers sacked manager Ian Burchnall earlier this week following a 1-0 defeat to Bolton, with the club four points from safety and bottom of the table.

They acted quickly to appoint Everton legend Ferguson as his replacement on Thursday. The 51-year-old is taking his first permanent senior managerial role.

And Ferguson has already added to his squad with the loan signing of Savage, who made his debut for United in the Champions League under Ralf Rangnick last season.

BBC Sport reported that United fielded several enquiries for the midfielder's signature, and chose the FIFA-ratified 'greenest club on the planet' as the ideal destination.

Savage joins Forest Green from Man Utd

In an official statement, United confirmed that the deal with Rovers was agreed last week, prior to Burchnall's exit, and that they rejected a number of offers from other clubs for Savage.

The Welshman, the son of former Wales international-turned-pundit Robbie Savage, will get his first taste of regular football at senior level, having been restricted to U21 action for United this season.

He has spent his entire career with the Red Devils, rising up the youth ranks before signing his first professional contract in 2021.

Speaking after making the move, the Wales U21 international said: "I'm buzzing to be here. As soon as I found out Forest Green were interested, I just wanted to get down and get started.

"I loved the sound of the club, and I actually came down here last season for work experience under [ex-Forest Green boss, now at Luton] Rob Edwards. I know the people and the place really well."