Ethan Laird

The Boy

Full Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2014
Messages
4,317
Supports
Brighton and Hove Albion
Anyone know any reason why e hasn't travelled for pre season?
 

Kostov

Full Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2017
Messages
9,399
Location
Skopje, Macedonia
Anyone know any reason why e hasn't travelled for pre season?
Wasn't he injured for the majority of the season? I think that probably was a factor. Lee O'Connor also didn't travel even though he had a full season and is equally talented imo.
 

The Boy

Full Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2014
Messages
4,317
Supports
Brighton and Hove Albion
He’s going to have to go the loan route now for a few years isn’t he?
Shame I thought he was meant to be one of the most talented lads coming through
 

Varun1

New Member
Newbie
Joined
Jun 11, 2018
Messages
1,075
O'Connor is at the U19s Euro Championship I believe.
 

TwoSheds

More sheds (and tiles) than you, probably
Joined
Feb 12, 2014
Messages
12,741
Shame I thought he was meant to be one of the most talented lads coming through
He's 17 and didn't play last year because of injury. People are just getting ahead of themselves. He's plenty of time to impress. I imagine it will be 6-12months of U23s and then another 6-12 months of loan for him before he gets a serious look in at first team level.
 

settembrini

Full Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2015
Messages
3,283
Anyone know any reason why e hasn't travelled for pre season?
Because he's not part of the first team squad.

Laird is a decent prospect but has a long way to go. It was shocking to me in the summer how many people said we shouldn't sign Wan-Bissaka because of Laird.
 

sglowrider

Thinks the caf is 'wokeish'.
Joined
Dec 27, 2009
Messages
25,183
Location
Hell on Earth
Because he's not part of the first team squad.

Laird is a decent prospect but has a long way to go. It was shocking to me in the summer how many people said we shouldn't sign Wan-Bissaka because of Laird.
A lot of folks here are bi-polar.

Rashford isnt good enough. At best a championship player and will proclaim that Greenwood will be the golden boot winner next year.

Potential is always greater than reality syndrome.
 

AltiUn

likes playing with swords after fantasies
Joined
Apr 29, 2014
Messages
23,494
Traore is another to watch.
He's really not, he's got 1 outstanding quality with his strength which gives him a huge advantage over 18 year olds, his technique isn't good enough to hide the other deficiencies in his game, especially when he eventually gets to senior level.
 

NickyT

New Member
Newbie
Joined
Jul 7, 2015
Messages
106
Shame I thought he was meant to be one of the most talented lads coming through
Tbh he is a very big talent, it's pretty evident in his level of performance especially at such a young age. I reckon a full season at u23 level wouldn't do him any harm as he only turns 18 next month.

Maybe next season he can go on loan based on his progression, especially as we have AWB and Dalot ahead him. Then again he can play anywhere along the back four and along the wings so he'd defo be an asset to the squad in coming years.

Just need to cancel Youngs contract to speed up his progress :lol:
 

jb8521

Full Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2007
Messages
4,526
Wasn't he injured for the majority of the season? I think that probably was a factor. Lee O'Connor also didn't travel even though he had a full season and is equally talented imo.
Yeah Laird has been injured & only played his first game in months last week. O'Connor is captaining Ireland at the u19 Euros.
 

Adnan

Talent Spotter
Joined
Oct 5, 2013
Messages
29,865
Location
England
Laird is a big talent with huge potential as a RB. The Coaching staff including Nicky Butt see him as a first team player in the not too distant future. It's a pity he suffered a long spell out with injuries last season or i'm sure he'd have gone on tour.

Hopefully he can catch a break and steer clear of injuries because the potential is big. Things can change very fast in football and so can perceptions. Wan Bissaka was sent packing from lowly Cambridge at 20 years old, and alittle over a year later he's at United for £50m.
 

TwoSheds

More sheds (and tiles) than you, probably
Joined
Feb 12, 2014
Messages
12,741
To my mind, with Wan Bissaka and Dalot now both in the first team frame at right back we need to be thinking about where we can develop this guy so as to fit in best in the first team picture when the chance arrives. I would have thought that is either LB or CB so I'd like him to be working on that left foot, playing LB ideally. Williams can definitely play right back so I'd swap them over for now. Not that we shouldn't be ready to give Williams himself a chance of course, he has ability too and a lot of character. Tough one for the coaches for sure. Maybe Mengi could play RB from time to time and we stick Laird in the middle.
 

Adnan

Talent Spotter
Joined
Oct 5, 2013
Messages
29,865
Location
England
Played very well against a Championship team and got on the score sheet with a fantastic strike. Hopefully he stays injury free this season because I foresee a very bright future for this lad. Will be the best attacking fullback at the club and he can defend too.
 

Bwuk

Full Member
Joined
Feb 29, 2012
Messages
17,282
Tough route to first team behind AWB and Dalit. Could he play Lb? Good finish for his goal.
 

Cassidy

No longer at risk of being mistaken for a Scouser
Joined
Oct 2, 2013
Messages
31,029
Tough route to first team behind AWB and Dalit. Could he play Lb? Good finish for his goal.
Apparently can play anywhere across the back 4
 

Adnan

Talent Spotter
Joined
Oct 5, 2013
Messages
29,865
Location
England
Tough route to first team behind AWB and Dalit. Could he play Lb? Good finish for his goal.
I actually think he'll beat out AWB from the RB position due to him being superior in attack and he can defend.
 

Spielmacher

Full Member
Joined
Aug 18, 2013
Messages
3,554
Location
Austria
That goal basically confirms that he is the new Maicon. Sell Wan-Bissaka and Dalot immediately.
 

MUFC OK

New Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2014
Messages
7,216
Oh wow. So he's a RB but can play across the back for? How about right wing? :wenger:
I think he is a RB and we shouldn't shoehorn him anywhere else. I've been a huge advocate of him in this thread and on twitter and I've said we are creating a problem by signing AWB when this lad will be ready in a year or two.

Hope he signs a long term contract so that he doesn't go looking for first team football elsewhere.
 

youngrell

Full Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2016
Messages
3,545
Location
South Wales
Looks so comfortable in possession and almost like he's only currently playing in 3rd gear. Bright future.
 

Adnan

Talent Spotter
Joined
Oct 5, 2013
Messages
29,865
Location
England
Sounds good. Can I ask what his strenght's are?
His strengths at fullback are his pace and the ability to get forward and link up with the attackers in a very Patrice Evra esque fashion at times. He loves to bomb forward but his defensive game is also coming along very nicely. He's also physically developed quite considerably in the last 2 years and looks a real powerhouse. He can play all across the back 4 which is a strength of his, but longterm I see him as the RB.

He's basically a modern day fullback with huge potential. Only turned 18 a few days ago but i'm a big believer in his ability.
 

red woppit

Full Member
Joined
Sep 21, 2017
Messages
2,229
Location
Buchebi
Supports
Northampton Town
To my mind, with Wan Bissaka and Dalot now both in the first team frame at right back we need to be thinking about where we can develop this guy so as to fit in best in the first team picture when the chance arrives. I would have thought that is either LB or CB so I'd like him to be working on that left foot, playing LB ideally. Williams can definitely play right back so I'd swap them over for now. Not that we shouldn't be ready to give Williams himself a chance of course, he has ability too and a lot of character. Tough one for the coaches for sure. Maybe Mengi could play RB from time to time and we stick Laird in the middle.
Still to be convinced that Dalot is good enough defensively for United. Seems very good offensively though. Something our coaches will have to work on with him, he has plenty of time to develop. I did think that he looked better at LB than RB in the couple of games he played there though. Would have no hesitation in giving Laird a run out now and again, and looks like he could become a very good utility defender, both full back positions, and possibly CB or DM. Think he has a big future at OT.
 

MUFC OK

New Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2014
Messages
7,216
Looks so comfortable in possession and almost like he's only currently playing in 3rd gear. Bright future.
I've been sold since seeing him put in a motm display in an u18's game aged 15. I remember thinking he could genuinely do a better job than Valencia at the time. His decision making for such a young player is fantastic.
 

Adam-Utd

Part of first caf team to complete Destiny raid
Joined
Sep 10, 2010
Messages
39,954
This kid is fantastic isn't he? He defended so well, attacks brilliantly and his all round game is very good too. Seems to have immense stamina to go with being strong and quick.

Apparently he can play left back just as well as the right side, so i'd love to see him getting some first team chances covering for Shaw in cup matches.

It's almost a shame he wasn't a year or 2 older as he could have been our first choice, but having him battle Wan Bissaka for the next few years can only be a good thing.
 

AltiUn

likes playing with swords after fantasies
Joined
Apr 29, 2014
Messages
23,494
Tough route to first team behind AWB and Dalit. Could he play Lb? Good finish for his goal.
I think he'll have overtaken Dalot by the end of the season, personally.

I think Wan-Bissaka is absolutely fantastic but I rate Laird so highly I still wouldn't be surprised if he eventually displaced him in the first team, I have him up there with Gomes and Greenwood. Offensively I don't think there's many better than him at his level.
 

RedSky

Shepherd’s Delight
Scout
Joined
Jul 27, 2006
Messages
74,145
Location
Hereford FC (Soccermanager)
This kid is fantastic isn't he? He defended so well, attacks brilliantly and his all round game is very good too. Seems to have immense stamina to go with being strong and quick.

Apparently he can play left back just as well as the right side, so i'd love to see him getting some first team chances covering for Shaw in cup matches.

It's almost a shame he wasn't a year or 2 older as he could have been our first choice, but having him battle Wan Bissaka for the next few years can only be a good thing.
Aye, I raved about him last season. Looks quality. If he can play left back then surely we should focus him on that position because he's not going to get ahead of Wan Bissaka to be honest.
 

R'hllor

Full Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2013
Messages
15,414
If we didnt extend contract to Young, he would have better chances.
 

Varun1

New Member
Newbie
Joined
Jun 11, 2018
Messages
1,075
A while back I read an article about this team being very careful about buying new players so they won't stall the development and break-through of promising youngsters; Now we've had many talented youngsters not make it and I've not seen Laird play, however we've been so poor over the past few years and having to buy ready-made players that I fear it will impact on the promising youths. Unless this also explains why Ole has been reluctant to buy in some areas.
I guess time will tell.
 

AltiUn

likes playing with swords after fantasies
Joined
Apr 29, 2014
Messages
23,494
A while back I read an article about this team being very careful about buying new players so they won't stall the development and break-through of promising youngsters; Now we've had many talented youngsters not make it and I've not seen Laird play, however we've been so poor over the past few years and having to buy ready-made players that I fear it will impact on the promising youths. Unless this also explains why Ole has been reluctant to buy in some areas.
I guess time will tell.
There's a reason you haven't seen him. Laird was injured before Solskjaer took over, returned from injury for about 2 games, then spent the rest of the season injured. He's not long turned 18 either.