Ethan Laird has sent a message to Erik ten Hag about Manchester United's right-back problem

Few players can say they experienced more contrasting fortunes than Manchester United right-back Ethan Laird last season.

After giving an excellent account of himself during the first half of the season on loan at Swansea City, where he had been reunited with former MK Dons manager Russell Martin, Laird joined promotion-chasing Bournemouth in January. It was a kick in the teeth for the Swans, but it seemed like the right decision at the time, as a temporary stint at the Vitality Stadium offered him the chance to add a first promotion to his CV.

Furthermore, a move to the south coast would give the United youngster the opportunity to trial himself as a natural right-back, opposed to being the attack-minded wing-back he had been at Swansea. However, his short-term spell with the Cherries was plagued by injury troubles, meaning he made just six appearances.

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It was a tough spell for the youngster, meaning he returned to Old Trafford ahead of the start of this season without having played a full season worth of regular football in the Championship. He made 26 appearances for Bournemouth and Swansea combined in the league.

Despite United's right-back issues, which are still yet to be resolved, as highlighted by the club holding talks with Barcelona over a possible loan deal for Sergino Dest ahead of Thursday's 11pm deadline, the general consensus was that Laird would benefit from another loan spell elsewhere, preferably at one Championship club for the full season. After seeing his proposed switch to Watford collapse, Laird joined QPR earlier this month.

Although he is only four games into his Rs career, he is already becoming something of a