Two Manchester United loanees are justifying summer transfer decisions

Whisper it quietly but Manchester United might already have two players within their ranks who could become household names for years to come.

While on-field matters at Old Trafford have been (gradually) improving in recent weeks, two members of United's loan army have also been making names for themselves elsewhere in the country. In a summer that saw six new faces added to manager to Erik ten Hag's first-team squad, United attempted to strike a balance and temporarily re-house some players who would benefit from a full season of regular football.

After James Garner's success at Nottingham Forest and the progress made by Teden Mengi at Birmingham City last season, the Championship seemed like a good destination for other young members of United's squad to aid their development. And so far it is fair to say that both Ethan Laird and Alvaro Fernandez are benefitting enormously from the cut and thrust of England's second tier.

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Laird, who spent time on loan at both Bournemouth and Swansea City last season, joined QPR on a season-long loan deal in August, while Fernandez — who joined United from Real Madrid just over two years ago — linked up with Preston North End towards the end of July. Both players are young, hungry full-backs who have aspirations of becoming first-team regulars at Old Trafford one day.

Although the step-up in class from the Championship to the Premier League is blindingly obvious, both players are already making the most of their respective loan spells, becoming fans' favourites at Loftus Road and Deepdale. Laird has been instantly idolised by countless QPR fans and many of them remain in disbelief that United were willing