Cathcart gone on loan

oskarutd · 8th August 2008, 13:55

CART BEFORE THE START
Posted on: Fri 08 Aug 2008

ARGYLE have boosted their squad on the eve of the new Coca-Cola Championship with the signing of Manchester United starlet Craig Cathcart.

Cathcart, a 6ft 2in centre-back, has joined the Pilgrims on a six-month loan and goes straight into the squad for Saturday's season-opener against Wolves at Home Park.

He has been assigned the squad number 22.

Manager Paul Sturrock said: "Craig Cathcart is a big centre-half that we have been watching from afar.

"It is an area of the team where we had injuries and suspensions last year, and we eventually had to bring someone in on loan [Russell Anderson]. I don't want that scenario to happen again.

"He is a good centre-half with good qualities, and you don't play for Manchester United if you're not of a very decent standard.

"I am very happy to bring the boy on board and it is up to him to get himself in the team."

The 19-year-old left-footer has yet to make a first-team appearance for United, but is already a Northern Ireland Under-21 international.

The Belfast-born youngster also spent the first half of last season playing in the Belgian top flight, making 13 appearances for United's feeder club, Royal Antwerp.

Cathcart's route to Home Park has been similar to the one taken by former Pilgrim Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, who also starred for United's youth team and Royal Antwerp before donning the famous Green shirt.

Described on the Manchester United website as "tall, good in the air and strong in the tackle...is a prototypical centre-half...he also possesses the ability and confidence to bring the ball out of defence."

Cathcart was coveted by a number of clubs, including Chelsea, Arsenal and Rangers, when he was named the Northern Ireland Youth Player of the Year award in 2005, but signed trainee terms at Manchester United in July of that year.

By April 2007, he had been made captain of the youth team that reached the FA Youth Cup Final, although he himself missed both legs of the final.

He was called up to United's senior squad for the FA Cup sixth-round replay with Middlesbrough in March 2007 after Nemanja Vidi?'s injury, and was an unused substitute in the 7-1 Champions' League win against Roma and the FA Cup semi-final victory over Watford.

Speculation that this defensive injury crisis would lead to Cathcart making his senior debut ended when he suffered a season-ending knee injury in training.

At the start of last season, Cathcart was sent on a half-season loan to Royal Antwerp and made his debut for the Belgians in September against ROC de Charleroi-Marchienne.

He scored his first senior goal in the following game, and again in a match against AFC Tubize, when he was named man of the match.

link

Lot 49 · 8th August 2008, 14:17

Good move for him, he should do well in the championship.

kevg · 8th August 2008, 15:48

Good move for me too, living in Plymouth I'll be able to watch Craig play this season. The word down here is that Argyle are trying to get Gibson in on loan too - though that will probably have to wait until United's injury/suspension/illness/olympic problems are over with.

SmashedHombre · 8th August 2008, 15:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevg

Good move for me too, living in Plymouth I'll be able to watch Craig play this season. The word down here is that Argyle are trying to get Gibson in on loan too - though that will probably have to wait until United's injury/suspension/illness/olympic problems are over with.

Unlucky mate

Could be a good move for him, and it means my few visits down to Home Park each year might actually be worth the trip

Tumbling-Dice · 9th August 2008, 10:47

He will make good progress with The Pilgrims.

8th August 2008, 13:55	#1 (permalink)
oskarutd Reserve Team Player Join Date: May 2004 Location: Iceland Posts: 1,327	Cathcart gone on loan CART BEFORE THE START Posted on: Fri 08 Aug 2008 ARGYLE have boosted their squad on the eve of the new Coca-Cola Championship with the signing of Manchester United starlet Craig Cathcart. Cathcart, a 6ft 2in centre-back, has joined the Pilgrims on a six-month loan and goes straight into the squad for Saturday's season-opener against Wolves at Home Park. He has been assigned the squad number 22. Manager Paul Sturrock said: "Craig Cathcart is a big centre-half that we have been watching from afar. "It is an area of the team where we had injuries and suspensions last year, and we eventually had to bring someone in on loan [Russell Anderson]. I don't want that scenario to happen again. "He is a good centre-half with good qualities, and you don't play for Manchester United if you're not of a very decent standard. "I am very happy to bring the boy on board and it is up to him to get himself in the team." The 19-year-old left-footer has yet to make a first-team appearance for United, but is already a Northern Ireland Under-21 international. The Belfast-born youngster also spent the first half of last season playing in the Belgian top flight, making 13 appearances for United's feeder club, Royal Antwerp. Cathcart's route to Home Park has been similar to the one taken by former Pilgrim Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, who also starred for United's youth team and Royal Antwerp before donning the famous Green shirt. Described on the Manchester United website as "tall, good in the air and strong in the tackle...is a prototypical centre-half...he also possesses the ability and confidence to bring the ball out of defence." Cathcart was coveted by a number of clubs, including Chelsea, Arsenal and Rangers, when he was named the Northern Ireland Youth Player of the Year award in 2005, but signed trainee terms at Manchester United in July of that year. By April 2007, he had been made captain of the youth team that reached the FA Youth Cup Final, although he himself missed both legs of the final. He was called up to United's senior squad for the FA Cup sixth-round replay with Middlesbrough in March 2007 after Nemanja Vidi?'s injury, and was an unused substitute in the 7-1 Champions' League win against Roma and the FA Cup semi-final victory over Watford. Speculation that this defensive injury crisis would lead to Cathcart making his senior debut ended when he suffered a season-ending knee injury in training. At the start of last season, Cathcart was sent on a half-season loan to Royal Antwerp and made his debut for the Belgians in September against ROC de Charleroi-Marchienne. He scored his first senior goal in the following game, and again in a match against AFC Tubize, when he was named man of the match. link

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8th August 2008, 14:17	#2 (permalink)
Lot 49 Doom Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,174	Good move for him, he should do well in the championship.

8th August 2008, 15:48	#3 (permalink)
kevg Youth Team Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 267	Good move for me too, living in Plymouth I'll be able to watch Craig play this season. The word down here is that Argyle are trying to get Gibson in on loan too - though that will probably have to wait until United's injury/suspension/illness/olympic problems are over with.

9th August 2008, 10:47	#5 (permalink)
Tumbling-Dice Reserve Team Player Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: It ain't where you're from, it's where you're at. Posts: 4,569	He will make good progress with The Pilgrims.