New Premier League rule could help James Garner even after Manchester United transfers

Every midfielder Manchester United signs this summer is theoretically bad news for James Garner, who will get his chance to impress in pre-season but also knows the standard of competition he is up against is about to rise.

The 21-year-old returns to United on the back of an excellent loan spell at Nottingham Forest and, given the shortage of central midfield options now at Old Trafford, the highly-thought of Garner was always going to get his chance. At the moment Scott McTominay, Fred, Donny van de Beek and Bruno Fernandes are the only senior central midfielders at the club and in that mix, Garner will get games in pre-season.

It's already clear that the academy graduate will be on the plane when United head for their pre-season tour on July 8, encompassing 16 days and four friendlies in Bangkok, Melbourne and Perth.

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The question now is who else will be in Erik ten Hag's squad when the nitty-gritty of pre-season gets underway. That lengthy tour is a huge opportunity for players to impress the new management and for the 52-year-old to get his ideas across to the squad.

Garner will be a willing learner and after thriving at the City Ground last season, he is certainly ready for the step up to the Premier League. Pre-season is his chance to prove that will be with United, rather than on another loan somewhere, with a return to Forest a distinct possibility.

Speaking after his final game of a mammoth season, England Under-21s defeat to Slovenia on Monday night, Garner said he was ready to return to his parent club and try and catch the eye this summer.

“That’s the plan. That’s what I’d like to do, go on pre-season and impress," he