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Man United have triggered their Ethan Laird contract extension, with the right-back set to stay for another twelve months.
Manchester United and Erik ten Hag have several young players on the periphery of the Red Devils’ first-team. More often than not, these guys end up out on loan, or released.
One man whose future remains somewhat up in the air is Ethan Laird. The talented right-back has been sniffing the first-team for what feels like a few years now, without ever really being granted that opportunity.
The Manchester Evening News have provided the latest on Laird’s future. They’ve confirmed that United have triggered the one-year extension in the 21-year-old’s contract.
Laird was technically out of contract this summer, though United have tended to add one-year clauses to new deals over the last few years, meaning Laird now has a deal that runs until summer 2024.
The MEN state that he will be ‘assessed’ in pre-season and another loan move will be considered. That suggests to me that Ten Hag isn’t completely sold on the young man, who has been loaned out several times over the last few years.
At this stage of his career, Laird, understandably, wants first-team minutes and isn’t prepared to sit around on the bench. Despite his talent, that opportunity isn’t going to come at Old Trafford.
Although I feel Laird isn’t too far away from being good enough to play a role at United, it looks inevitable that he is going to walk away from the Theatre of Dreams sooner rather than later.
United may well be looking to sell Laird this summer, in order to get some sort of transfer fee for the right-back. However, I do not see Laird committing to a new long-term deal here, as the opportunity to play in the first-team just isn’t coming anytime soon.
Do you think Ethan Laird is good enough for Man United? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.
