Darren Fletcher names Man Utd youngsters who will get first-team chance in the summer

James Garner and Ethan Laird will be among the Manchester United youngsters given the chance to stake a first-team claim this summer.

United have 13 players out on loan this season with Anthony Elanga currently taking his chance in the first-team after Ralf Rangnick opted to keep the Swede in his first-team squad for the second half of the campaign.

Hannibal Mejbri has also been involved in the senior squad with others taking their chances away from Manchester.

Midfielder Garner is currently away on his third successful loan spell, the last two at Nottingham Forest having signed a new contract with United last summer.

Full-back Laird meanwhile made his debut for Bournemouth at the weekend having excelled with Championship rivals Swansea City during the first-half of the 2021-22 campaign.

Discussing United’s academy and the route into the first team, technical director Darren Fletcher name-checked the duo among the group of players he believes will be vying for senior roles next season if they can impress the new manager in pre-season.

‘We currently have 13 young players and academy products on loan and playing regularly in other divisions or leagues,’ said Fletcher.

‘Hopefully, we’ll see players like Brandon Williams, Teden Mengi, Jimmy Garner, Ethan Laird, Tahith Chong and Amad reap the benefits of that.

‘All of them are doing really well on loan and we’re excited to bring them back in pre-season to see how they fare with our first-team players.’

Defender Mengi joined Birmingham City during the January transfer window, linking up with Chong at the Midlands club.

Amad Diallo meanwhile joined Rangers until the end of the season last month.

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