Loan moves to the English Football League can either make or break a young player.
A talent who is used to playing against opposition of a similar age to themselves can soon be found out when they drop into the lower tiers. The Championship and Leagues One and Two are awash with players who are experienced at playing at a higher level.
They also showcase a physicality that can be intimidating to a teenager. While there are plenty of pitfalls for a youngster making his first steps in men's football in the EFL, the rewards on offer can outweigh many of those concerns.
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We have seen this season Hannibal Mejbri, Amad and Ethan Laird all flourish in the second tier with their respective clubs. The trio have thrust themselves into a position where they could be able to make an impact in the United first team in the future.
But, in the third tier, there is another United loanee who is emerging as a potential wildcard option for Ten Hag moving forwards. Shola Shoretire joined Bolton Wanderers in January for the remainder of the season and he has already become a favourite with his manager, Ian Evatt.
Those who have watched Shoretire perform for the U21s at Leigh Sports Village will be aware of exactly what he can offer. He is direct, happy to take on a defender and has an eye for goal too.
The 19-year-old can play across a front three but is most likely to be found on the left wing for United. However, Evatt has opted to play the teenager centrally either as an attacking midfielder or as a centre-forward.
Evatt's decision now appears to be paying off with Shoretire earning rave reviews at the University of Bolton Stadium. Before their clash with fellow promotion rivals Peterborough United, the Wanderers gaffer urged his team to provide more space for the United man.
He added: "Shola has shown bright moments in all three games so far, he really is a talented young player, and he will learn from that game and add it to his repertoire." Against the Posh, Shoretire grabbed his first two assists in a 5-0 hammering.
One positive that often goes under the radar from Ten Hag's first season at United is how he has managed to expertly negotiate the loan market for the Reds' young prospects. Upon Shoretire's return from his temporary club, you would hope that he will be in a position to either challenge for a first team place or moved on for another loan spell higher up the football pyramid.
Shoretire is showing, in a tough league, that he can still implement his style onto matches and that provides a positive predicament for Ten Hag come the summer.
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