'Definitely won't go back to playing reserves' - Man United loanee sends Erik ten Hag message about future

Manchester United academy product Will Fish has indicated he does not wish to return to the reserves now he has experienced first-team football at loan club Hibernian.

The 20-year-old centre-back struggled to stamp his mark at the Scottish club during the first half of the season and only started his first game on January 2, which was at right back. However, since then he has begun 14 consecutive matches and scored his third goal of the season in Saturday’s 2-1 win over St Mirren.

Hibernian are in the top six season-end split with the club pushing for a place in Europe. Fish is due to return to United at the end of the season although has indicated that he will seek another loan or permanent transfer if he is not included in Erik ten Hag’s plans next season.

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"I definitely wouldn't go back to playing reserves football," he told the Edinburgh Evening News. "I think everyone is on the same page with that.

"Once you get a taste of that Saturday 3pm, when there's pressure to get three points and you've got fans cheering you on, it's hard to get that feeling elsewhere. I'm definitely going to go somewhere."

The defender made his senior United debut in the final minute of the final day win over Wolves in the 2020/21 season. He was called up to Ten Hag's pre-season tour squad in the summer when Axel Tuanzebe was forced home early with injury.

The youngster came off the bench in the friendly with Crystal Palace in Australia but was sent off 19 minutes later for a last-man challenge. He secured a season-long loan to Hibernian six weeks later.

Commenting on a potential return to Hibs next season, Fish added: "It would be amazing to play for a club like this in Europe.