Football News: Manchester United made Ethan Laird's decision as the 20-year-old is set to join Watford in a third loan spell
Prospective Manchester United player Ethan Laird will make a one-year loan move to Watford. The 20-year-old right-back has previously played for Swansea City and Bournemouth, which will be his third loan with an EFL Championship team
Ethan LairdAfter stints at Swansea and Bournemouth last season, it is believed that Laird, 20, has decided to go on a third Championship loan.
After Rayo Vallecano's visit to Old Trafford on Sunday and the conclusion of Manchester United's preseason schedule, Laird's transfer is anticipated to be finalised.
On Monday night at Vicarage Road, Watford will play its inaugural season against Sheffield United.
Although the club is willing to move the right-back, Aaron Wan-future Bissaka's at United is not assured by the impending departure of Laird.
Over the past year, Manchester United has fielded more inquiries for fellow right-back Diogo Dalot but has advised interested clubs that Wan-Bissaka is the only right-back for whom they are willing to enter negotiations.
In Erik ten Hag's five matches as manager, Dalot has replaced Wan-Bissaka as Manchester United's starting right-back, and the former Crystal Palace defender has not performed well.
Who is Ethan Laird?
In the 2019–20 season, Ethan Laird, a Manchester United youth product, made his first-team debut while playing in the UEFA Europa League. He progressed through the ranks to achieve this.
In the few opportunities he received, he made an impression. And in the 2020 summer transfer window, Manchester United loaned the young player to MK Dons to continue his development.
Chances for Laird last summer were likely to be slim because Diogo Dalot was coming back from his loan with AC Milan and Aaron Wan-Bissaka was already in the team as the first-choice right-back.
Swansea City came to his aid by signing him to an EFL Championship contract for an entire season last summer.
He was a regular for the Welsh team and made 20 Championship appearances until his loan was terminated, and he switched to Bournemouth in January.
After his most recent stint away from Manchester United, Laird played just six times for the Cherries and has since returned to Old Trafford.
Despite participating in United's preseason tour of Asia and Australia this summer, Diogo Dalot, who is Erik ten Hag's first choice right back in the squad, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are currently ahead of Laird in the pecking order, and he is set to be allowed to leave on loan.
Ethan Laird won't be the only young player permitted to leave Manchester United on loan this summer; according to reports, Erik ten Hag will also reportedly make three other players available for a short-term move away from Old Trafford this summer to help them find first-team opportunities.
Fabrizio Romano, a transfer expert, claims that although Ten Hag would prefer to keep Amad Diallo, Tahith Chong, and Facundo Pellistri on the club's books, there is a significant chance that they will all be sent out for the following season.
After speaking with the Dutchman and his agency, it has been decided to send Diallo back out on loan after a stint with Rangers last season. Chong, who spent time at Birmingham last season, is also expected to go; it has been confirmed. Last season, Pellistri travelled with the Spanish team Alaves.