James Garner outlines plans for Manchester United return

James Garner says his pre-season form will determine whether he stays at Manchester United next season.

Garner, 21, excelled during a season-long loan with Nottingham Forest in the Championship and helped the club return to the Premier League after a 23-year exile.

Former United manager Jose Mourinho named Garner in his last pre-season tour squad in 2018 when the midfielder was only 17 and Garner scored on tour the following year against Perth Glory in Australia.

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Garner has not spoken to new United manager Erik ten Hag yet and is due to meet him the week beginning July 4 when the squad's internationals are scheduled to report for pre-season training.

Should Garner be omitted from Ten Hag's first-team squad he intends to secure a loan to a Premier League club.

"I’m not too sure (what will happen), personally. I’ve not had much time to think," Garner said after England Under-21s' 2-1 defeat to Slovenia last week. "I’ve gone from Championship football straight to international football; I’ve not really had a breather or time to think."

When asked if he would have a chance to impress Ten Hag in pre-season, Garner said: "Well that’s the plan. That’s what I’d like to do; go on pre-season and impress, it’s all up to me, really. It’s down to me as a player to impress him and hopefully make a mark.

"It’s huge (next season). I feel like last season my career has only just started, I’m still young, just turned 21 couple of months ago. I’ve had such a good season this season, with the national team and at club level as well. As you said, it’s very important now to hopefully play in the Premier League next season.

"I think I’ve come on leaps and bounds this season. Played