5 Manchester United Players That Should Go On Loan & What Their Best Move Is

Whilst the focus going into the new season is naturally on players coming into the club, there will also be players going the other way.

However, not all of these players will be gone temporarily. As is the case with every club, a large number of their outgoings every year are youth players heading for loan spells.

United have one of their most talented crops of youth coming through in years, but that talent needs to be nurtured and further developed in order for them to survive in the men’s game.

Here, UtdDistrict look at five youth players who could do with a loan for next season, with some having been linked to one and others not yet so.

Disclaimer: A player needing a loan is not an indication that they are a lesser talent, more so a suggestion they would develop best elsewhere for now.

Hannibal Mejbri

Hannibal Mejbri is maybe the brightest of the bright coming out of United’s academy.

The Tunisian midfielder, signed from Monaco in a deal that could rise to €10 million, Mejbri is no joke.

Often likened to Paul Pogba and Jack Grealish due to his general playstyle in possession and preference to play on the left hand side of the pitch, it is clear that his potential is absolutely huge.

But Mejbri is a very aggressive player, in many ways too aggressive. Often, he is provoked by opposition players by way of targeted fouls, but he responds badly to these and his disciplinary record is concerning.

Mejbri has mainly been linked to a Championship loan, a highly physical league where he will undoubtedly be targeted as he is at youth level but by bigger, stronger opponents.

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Whilst it may seem a risk given his temperament, this is the ultimate opportunity for him to mature and learn to keep himself in check when provoked.

It will also provide him a chance to consistently test his ability at a higher level than youth football, and further set him up for what looks to be an extremely promising career.

The side he should go to would ideally be one who play with similar principles to United in order to properly prepare him for a place in Ten Hag’s team

Ethan Galbraith

Whilst not being the most hyped midfielder coming out of United’s academy, Galbraith made a name for himself last season at League One outfit Doncaster Rovers.

He has also appeared at senior level for his country, Northern Ireland, and looks to be a promising player who could play a role for United’s squad in years to come.

Galbraith made it clear that he’s ready for a step up from League One football, and a Championship loan looks to be the logical next step.

Swansea City could be a good home for Galbraith, with manager Russell Martin trying to implement a possession-based style of play. Galbraith could slot nicely into midfield for the Jacks.

Ethan Laird spent the first half of last season on loan at the South Wales side and it went successfully, United could well use them for a loan again.

Álvaro Fernández

Young Spaniard Álvaro Fernández has been linked with a loan move away, and although it was indicated that he would prefer to remain in the Premier League, a Championship move looks to be the most likely destination for the left-back.

The 19 year old joined United from Real Madrid’s famous ‘La Fabrica’ academy in 2020 and has been a key player for the youth sides ever since.

Fernández reportedly generated lots of interest from clubs across Europe, but as per reports he is set to join Preston North End, with an announcement due on Tuesday.

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The teenager has bags of talent technically, but is also physically impressive with the way he can drive forward.

A loan move to England's second tier should be able to help toughen up the defensive side of his game, whilst he tests himself against some physical and difficult opposition.

It should also give him the opportunity to develop his overall game as he's trusted as a first-team option throughout the season.

Facundo Pellistri

Pellistri joined United in the 2020 summer window, and so far has only appeared in friendlies for the Red Devils.

Although he has shown real promise in these friendlies - scoring against Liverpool earlier this month - and for Uruguay, he has had back to back disappointing loan spells playing for Deportivo Alavés in Spain.

Now it is absolutely imperative that United get his loan right. He has been linked to clubs in Italy and Portugal, and it looks as though one of these two countries will be where he ends up.

Manchester United

Porto have just lost winger Francisco Conceição to Ajax, and although it is a high level it would be a place where Pellistri would be challenged well and develop under a very promising manager in Sérgio Conceição.

Teden Mengi

Teden Mengi is one of the most promising young centre backs to come out of United’s academy in a while, but has been unlucky so far in his young career.

Making a name for himself as a standout player in United’s academy and captaining the youth sides on many occasions, Mengi looked to be a future star for United.

He made his debut for the club in the Europa League in 2020, aged just 18, and could possibly have done so before he even turned 18 had it not been for football being paused due to COVID-19.

Still just 20 years old, there is plenty of time for him yet but injuries have hampered his two Championship loan spells at Derby County and Birmingham so far.

Despite this, when he has played he has shown promise and should he be able to curb his injuries, another Championship loan - or even one to a Premier League side - could be huge for the Englishman.