Manchester United have already set their squad for the 2018-19 Premier League season and while the arrivals were not what the fans expected, the team still add a few interesting pieces. Fred should bolster the midfield depth, while Lee Grant will be an excellent back-up alternative for David De Gea. Diogo Dalot remains a prospect, but should gain some considerable playing time as the season goes on.
One thing that not many fans have analysed is the amount of players that left the side on loan. We will take a look at them one by one:
Cameron Borthwick-Jackson
The 21-year-old left-back will spend the upcoming campaign in the League One, England’s third-tier league, playing for Scunthorpe United. He is expected to play regularly for them, something that would not have been the case at Old Trafford. He would have competed with the likes of Luke Shaw and Ashley Young for playing time, and Borthwick-Jackson is clearly not close to them in terms of quality. At least not yet.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah
Out of the four players that went out on loan this summer, Fosu-Mensah was the one with the most first-team experience. He has even played for the Netherlands at the international level, so he would have been a good piece to remain on the squad. However, he wouldn’t have had a lot of playing time… and that’s exactly what he needs right now since he is only 20 years old. He will spend the season on loan at Fulham, so he will remain in the Premier League and should have a decent chance to feature on a regular basis at Craven Cottage.
Axel Tuanzebe
Another 20-year-old defender with first-team experience at Old Trafford, Tuanzebe is by far the most versatile of the four players listed here. He can play all over the defence and central midfield on a pinch, but just like Fosu-Mensah, he needs time to develop and gain match fitness. Since that would not have been feasible this year with United, Instead, Tuanzebe will feature for Aston Villa in the English Championship. It will be his second consecutive loan spell at Villa Park.
Joel Pereira
Fosu-Mensah and Tuanzebe are interesting players, no doubt about it. However, Joel Pereira is the one with the most upside. A talented goalkeeper who could easily start for United at some point, he needed to go out on loan this year. Following the arrival of Lee Grant, Pereira became the fourth-best goalkeeper on the squad behind David De Gea, Sergio Romero and Grant. As a result, he will move to Portugal and will feature for Vitoria Setubal. Playing for them will be the only way Pereira can continue his development on the right path.
what a shambles 3 good players which were used in the usa now they are sent on loan, as they could have been used in defence now. being 7th place in the league and I,ll bet we wont get any higher than 5th place,so kiss all the competions away next season,thanks to ed woodword and co,and I don’t blame jose at all.
This is a real shame…they should be given time in the PL to grow..so much talent in the Academy and having a manager in charge who does not like those ‘kids’…Well Mr. Mourinho…do you remmeber the Busby Babes…MUFC dominated football for decades with a mixture of adult characters and kids….
And after the Babes…we got the Doc with kids storming the Premier League and then we had Sir Alex who over and over again broughton youngsters…