Haven't seen any of Hakimi at Dortmund but saw him play for Morocco at the last ACoN playing left-back and though i'd never seen anybody so quick, was convinced the kid was on drugs, disappointed United didn't go for him to cover both fullback positions when Real were open to loaning him out.
Ethan Laird
- Thread starter Adnan
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Laird really does looks the business. He just needs to stay fit for a season. We traditionally produce good British/Irish defensive players in each generation and I think Laird is the brightest talent since Wes Brown or Jonny Evans. I’d be looking at a solid loan for him in the next year. He’s physically advanced and some more experience playing senior could do wonders for his chances here. I don’t think he’s going to get enough games to develop unless Dalot goes out on loan instead which may be another option.
Thanks, that's the answer I was expecting.
Good luck, Ethan!
The problem for him is that unless AWB gets injured, he won't get a run of games. He'll get minutes and games with the second team when we're rotating the squad, but he'll never get a proper run.
It's the problem with playing a specialist role like RB, LB or GK. It's not as if you can slot in as part of a midfield 3, or a forward line or one of 2/3 CBs.
It's the problem with playing a specialist role like RB, LB or GK. It's not as if you can slot in as part of a midfield 3, or a forward line or one of 2/3 CBs.
I haven't seen any of Dortmund this year, but if they rely on their flanks for most of their goals I could understand why. Not so much if it's everybody forward, charge!!!
We'll find out soon enough because if the kid can stay fit he'll be a regular in the squad if not the team within a year, don't think he needs a loan.
Yeah setting him up to fail so half the forum can come on and say I told you he was shit
Agreed.
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He must stay fit then we can talk.
Senior team may need him.
Yep, imagine hell take Williams spot on the bench.
With both Shaw & Williams looking like they are out, then it’s surely a no brainier that Laird will be needed now
Either Dalot or Laird could play. I think Ole will go with Dalot.
Laird will be on the bench. He would have been worth a try if he was available and with AWB playing as bad as he did.
I'd prefer to see him given a go than Dalot if it comes to it. I feel anxious when I see how much space Dalot gives the opposing winger.
I don't think Williams is out with a long term injury though. Looks like a gash on his head?
Can’t AWB play LB? Bailly would be an option at RB.
Laird can play on both sides.
I really doubt Ole will start him so soon after including him in training with the first team. Probably Dalot starting with Laird on the bench. It is an opportunity for him to take over his spot.
Depends really. If he impresses in training then he could be considered
The main advantage is there is no crowd to intimidate him
He's been training for a week, doubt we'll see him in any form
Looks like both Shaw and Wiliams are fit. For me, it looks like the best possible scenario is that Laird will get a chance against LASK. If miracle happens and we make CL spot before final game against Leicester, than maybe against Leicester as well.
Does anyone know why he wasn'tt on the bench against LASK? Was he injured?
Was in match day squad, just didn make the bench.
No reports of it, tbh i was quite annoyed with Ole's selection last night, i couldn't see any reason why Mengi never started over Bailly and Laird over TFM and even Garner starting too, it was a dead rubber and would have been nice to see some of the youngsters given a chance, especially with the emergence of Greenwood and Williams this year, 10 minutes for Chong an 5 for Mengi, how do you see anything in that short amount of time.
Thanks, but seems strange. he's a better full back than TFM
He's just not fit yet. The reserve lads have only returned to training about 2 weeks ago, they've played no competitive matches.
Same with Garner and the others. Could they have played? Maybe, but Ole obviously wanted to give some minutes to players that will actually be able to contribute in the next few games.
How was Mengi fit enough, but not Laird? Genuine question. I might have missed news on this. I always assumed Laird, Garner, etc... were training with the first team before the reserves came back.
As a fan, I wanted the same, but as a manager, given that we’ve fielded about the same 11 for every game bar a couple going back six months, I think it’s probably more important to get the other candidates match fit.
Mengi was called up to the first team when Tuanzebe was injured, working in the first team group Ole would have seen him at first hand and knows if he's up to it.
Laird has been training with the first team for a month now
He'll play and a lot. Inevitable clear out incoming with TFM still playing like half amateur and Dalot's typical injury driven career at United like many other players before him.
I know the reserves came back but did he actually join the first team?
Anyway, that just shows that Ole doesn't think he's ready yet if he's been watching him for a month.
People need to be patient, we know he's a huge talent and i'm sure he will get a chance soon.
I hope so as he is a real talent
Anything is better than doing like Mourinho: Giving Gomes his debut as the youngest since Busby era for a symbolic show piece, then not playing him for one and a half years. Recipe for creating impatience.
Yep. He did it as a political gesture to say "look I can play youngsters too" but clearly didn't actually trust Gomes. Maybe that hurt him in the long term.
They are both gone now, so that’s something to take note of.
Gomes was 16 at the time. Was JM expected to just be playing him from then on? He gave him a run out in a dead rubber game, in which he gave a number of academy players a game. He also brought him on against Huddersfield in the league I think, and Yeovil in the cup. About as much as Ole featured him.