Manchester United player James Garner outlines what he's proven at Nottingham Forest

Manchester United midfielder James Garner believes the success of his loan spell at Nottingham Forest this season has proven that he is physically ready to play regular first-team top tier football.

The England Under-21 international — who has ambitions of becoming a first-team regular at Old Trafford next term — helped Forest end their 23-year absence from the Premier League, providing the assist to help them beat Huddersfield Town 1-0 in the Championship play-off final. Forest were bottom of the table after their first eight matches but stormed their way through the league after Steve Cooper took charge in September.

Garner made 49 appearances in all competitions, scoring four goals and grabbing 10 assists. He formed a formidable partnership with Ryan Yates in midfield and was a key component in Forest's success.

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Forest, unsurprisingly, want to re-sign the midfielder on loan for a third time this summer, believing that he would benefit from a full season of regular opportunities at Premier League level. However, United manager Erik ten Hag is set to run the rule over Garner in pre-season before making a decision on his future.

But regardless of what happens this summer, the 21-year-old believes he made significant progress during his season-long loan stint on the banks of the Trent.

Garner said: "I think I've come on leaps and bounds this season. I've played a lot of games, 50 plus, I think.

"I have developed a lot physically which was the question asked of me — whether I am physically ready. I've shown that I'm physically ready to play.

"Before I went on loan there were questions about whether I am physically read to