Ethan Laird

Rasendori

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How much do you guys rate him?
I rate him highly. He's my tied second favourite youth player with Brandon Williams being the first. I wouldn't be surprised if he becomes a starter at right back within three years time. Technically gifted, comfortable in tight spaces with a propensity to link up with the more attack orientated players. If the option to link up with an attacker isn't on, he's more than capable of skilfully beating his man. He's not a defensive liability either
 

dutchred

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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.
wherever he plays if he stays clear of serious injury he will be a star. Haven't seen a better young full back at youth level since Booby Noble.
 

3KDré

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I rate him highly. He's my tied second favourite youth player with Brandon Williams being the first. I wouldn't be surprised if he becomes a starter at right back within three years time. Technically gifted, comfortable in tight spaces with a propensity to link up with the more attack orientated players. If the option to link up with an attacker isn't on, he's more than capable of skilfully beating his man. He's not a defensive liability either
But is he likely to displace Wan Bissaka?

Man, if only he was left footed.
 

dutchred

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But is he likely to displace Wan Bissaka?

Man, if only he was left footed.
in a few years team our will be
Henderson
AWB Laird Axel Williams
Garner Mac
Sancho Gomes Martial
Greenwood
With
Subs
Rashford
Levitt
OÇonnor
Shoretire
Chong
 

Rasendori

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But is he likely to displace Wan Bissaka?

Man, if only he was left footed.
If we're talking probabilities, it is an inherently risky strategy to predict what will happen in the foreseeable future as mitigating factors amongst other circumstances play a role. Ole may not be the manager in three years, it could very well be a different RB that Laird needs to dislodge for a place in the starting berth, Dalot could grow exponentially etc. Whilst I believe Bisakka can contribute offensively albeit in a different way to the likes of Alexander Arnold and Kimmich, I think in terms of skillset Laird is the most balanced right back at the club. That balance could be appealing for one manager, concurrently, a manager may have a propensity to have full back to be significantly attacking orientated i.e. Dalot
 

TwoSheds

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in a few years team our will be
Henderson
AWB Laird Axel Williams
Garner Mac
Sancho Gomes Martial
Greenwood
With
Subs
Rashford
Levitt
OÇonnor

Shoretire
Chong
I doubt it.
 

AltiUn

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I'm a very big fan of Williams, I wouldn't be so quick to write him off, I think he'll surprise a few. His attitude is fantastic, I thought he was excellent last season.
 

Stobzilla

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I'm a very big fan of Williams, I wouldn't be so quick to write him off, I think he'll surprise a few. His attitude is fantastic, I thought he was excellent last season.
Me too, can play both RB and LB, just seems a bit Phil Neville-esque, in the best possible way, would always be a fantastic back up option to have and would never disgrace himself.
 

Vissy

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Williams is brilliant going forward, isn't he? Potentially much better than GNev was.
 

Ed9

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in a few years team our will be
Henderson
AWB Laird Axel Williams
Garner Mac
Sancho Gomes Martial
Greenwood
With
Subs
Rashford
Levitt
OÇonnor
Shoretire
Chong
You've misspelled Matic.
 

SparkedIntoLife

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Saw his interview after the Rotherham game and man I want him to succeed even more now! A really nice lad who clearly loves United. He has so much talent. It's a tough pathway with AWB and Dalot in front of him who are both very young and talented. I wonder if Laird can develop as a LB as I think it'd be easier to dislodge Shaw than AWB. He doesn't look like a CD as he's too good going forward and doesn't seem to have the size. I hope the club have a plan for him.
 

0le

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Saw his interview after the Rotherham game and man I want him to succeed even more now! A really nice lad who clearly loves United. He has so much talent. It's a tough pathway with AWB and Dalot in front of him who are both very young and talented. I wonder if Laird can develop as a LB as I think it'd be easier to dislodge Shaw than AWB. He doesn't look like a CD as he's too good going forward and doesn't seem to have the size. I hope the club have a plan for him.
I don't think Dalot is so highly rated. He could do with the loan to get some games, but we need the cover. Dalot can also cover for LB, so Laird might act as cover for AWB. This would leave Young as an "emergency" player, similar to Valencia last season.
 

simonhch

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The archetypal modern fullback. Looks a massive talent. You wonder if he could be used elsewhere, like in midfield. In a Kante type role. He seems to have the technique for it. Only saying it because you'd think Wan-Bissaka is our RB for the next 7-8 years.
 

The United

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Saw his interview after the Rotherham game and man I want him to succeed even more now! A really nice lad who clearly loves United. He has so much talent. It's a tough pathway with AWB and Dalot in front of him who are both very young and talented. I wonder if Laird can develop as a LB as I think it'd be easier to dislodge Shaw than AWB. He doesn't look like a CD as he's too good going forward and doesn't seem to have the size. I hope the club have a plan for him.
Dalot has a lot to learn before becoming a proper WB/FB. The guy is pretty overrated defender on this forum for some reason.
 

Mark Pawelek

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Only saying it because you'd think Wan-Bissaka is our RB for the next 7-8 years.
You'd think that. Not everyone does.

Plus: Even when we have two young right-backs vying equally for the position then we should still be developing another right-back to best meet his potential because youth development, like all education, is a contract you make with the youth and their family.
 

FromTheBench

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He might even dislodge awb if he keeps improving rapidly.

Awb does have his limitations attacking wise so who knows.
 

luke511

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What's the chances of this guy playing left back? I see he's got a few games under his belt there playing for U18/19s. Harsh that he'll struggle to breakthrough at RB with Wan Bissaka, he's got a chance a LB maybe if he can hack the invert.
 

SteveW

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What's the chances of this guy playing left back? I see he's got a few games under his belt there playing for U18/19s. Harsh that he'll struggle to breakthrough at RB with Wan Bissaka, he's got a chance a LB maybe if he can hack the invert.
I heard he played lb at under 16s and scored 20 goals in a season. Perhaps someone on here can confirm if this is true?
 

Bestietom

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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.
Remember people saying the same about Mitchell. Where is he now.
 

In Rainbows

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Remember people saying the same about Mitchell. Where is he now.
Sure, but you have to recognize who is coming out with those comments and what it's based on. Mitchell was a winger, then had a really bad injury, and came back with the staff trying to convert him to a fullback. Any praise was based on a short sample size so wasn't very reliable. It's very different from Laird who has always stood out as a fullback. Don't think Mitchell ever put in the performances Laird did.
 

Bestietom

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Sure, but you have to recognize who is coming out with those comments and what it's based on. Mitchell was a winger, then had a really bad injury, and came back with the staff trying to convert him to a fullback. Any praise was based on a short sample size so wasn't very reliable. It's very different from Laird who has always stood out as a fullback. Don't think Mitchell ever put in the performances Laird did.
Whenever I seen Mitchell, he never had a bad game ( academy and when he was promoted) My opinion. Williams is a better player than Laird.
 

SteveW

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Remember people saying the same about Mitchell. Where is he now.
Thats reductive.

"Some dope once said Tunnicluff was the new Keane so I'll dismiss all future young players" blah blah blah.

People say lots of stupid shit.
 

AltiUn

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Whenever I seen Mitchell, he never had a bad game ( academy and when he was promoted) My opinion. Williams is a better player than Laird.
Just out of curiousity, what aspect of the game do you think Williams beats Laird in? I'm a big fan of both players but to me it's obvious Laird's better.
 

PS18

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Remember people saying the same about Mitchell. Where is he now.
Mitchell was a gifted, flashy but inconsistent winger at the same stage in his development, no-one was really saying the same things at all
 

NickyT

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Yeah he's been unlucky and had a few injuries, but he's only just turned 18 at the start of the month, I'm sure the strength and conditioning team will have this in mind, he's got a solid 3 years of growing to go through physically, he'll come through good.

Relax, some of you are too negative at times.
 

Thanos

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You guys being negative should really see F Mendy's story.