Dean Henderson – Nottingham Forest
Starting every game for Nottingham Forest in goal during their first season back in the top-flight in 23 years, Henderson has been seriously impressive on loan. Despite keeping only three clean sheets out of 14 Premier League games, he cannot be blamed for Forest’s defensive woes.
Henderson has also carved out a reputation as a penalty expert, saving two of the four penalties he has faced during his time in Nottingham, and looks to have regained his place in the England squad ahead of the World Cup.
Whether or not the young goalkeeper has a future with his parent club remains to be seen however, particularly in light of his comments about United ‘wasting’ a year of his career last season.
Read more: Three Solskjaer signings might have final chance at United
Alex Telles - Sevilla
Telles has found himself in and out of a struggling Sevilla side this season. Up against Marcos Acuna for the starting left-back spot, both have seen similar amounts of playing time, though he has had the edge over the Argentinian since new manager Jorge Sampaoli arrived at the club in October.
Though he has only one assist this season, there has been plenty of attacking threat from the Brazilian, creating chances at a much higher rate than other full-backs in the league, and the fourth most in the entire Sevilla squad, but his defending remains suspect.
Telles may well have done enough to secure a permanent signing following his loan, but his performances are unlikely to persuade United to take him back.
Eric Bailly - Marseille
Bailly’s Marseille move has been heavily disrupted by injuries so far, with the Ivorian playing just 9 games so far this season, and managing a full 90 minutes just twice, and not since September 7.
After making a return to action in Marseille’s crucial final Champions League group game, Bailly lasted just nine minutes before being withdrawn. In his previous appearance he had to be taken off with another injury in the first half against PSG.
Bailly is demonstrating that he simply cannot stay fit and United’s decision to renew his contract until 2024 last year looks even worse now than it did at the time.
Amad Diallo – Sunderland
After an underwhelming start to his time in the North East, the young Ivorian Diallo is finally getting his chance in the team, starting the game, and completing the full 90 minutes in each of Sunderland’s last four league games.
Diallo has grabbed two goals in these four games and helped Sunderland to a win and a draw, all the while playing out of position as a striker.
Hannibal Mejbri – Birmingham City
Mejbri has started 7 of the last 8 games for Birmingham, and his new club have not yet lost a game in which he has started this season.
He has two assists in his 14 appearances so far this season and has been a big part of the turnaround which has seen Birmingham go from relegation candidates to three points off the play-offs.
Alvaro Fernandez – Preston North End
After slowly working his way into the team, Fernandez has now started Preston’s last nine games as the team have put a run of good results together to move to seventh, just one place outside the play-offs.
Fernandez has helped Preston to three clean sheets in his nine starts and has been a key part of their success going forward, creating the third most chances in the squad from wing-back.
Ethan Laird – QPR
Laird has been a key part of Michael Beale’s QPR side this season, starting all but one game since his arrival in West London this season. Laird has a goal and two assists from right-back this season.
The young full-back has been part of a defence which has kept five clean sheets so far, and despite a small blip in form over the last two weeks, Laird and the Rs remain firmly in contention for promotion.
Matej Kovar – Sparta Prague
Kovar has returned to his native Czechia after two seasons playing in the Premier League 2 and on loan to Burton and Swindon in League One.
He has started seven games in a row for Sparta, keeping two clean sheets, but conceding 10 goals in the other five games he has played, including four goals away from home to cross-city rivals Slavia Prague.
Despite conceding plenty of goals, Kovar’s spell in the team has also been Sparta’s best run of the season, and Kovar’s performances have generally been solid, if unspectacular.
Will Fish - Hibernian
Fish has played only twice so far for Hibs, making two appearances off the bench for 12 and 14 minutes respectively.
He has been a member of the matchday squad for every game since his move but has not managed to find a regular role just yet.
Ethan Galbraith – Salford City
Young midfielder Galbraith has started nine of the 12 Salford games that have taken place since his loan move was confirmed, playing central and right midfield.
The young Northern Irishman has two goals in 10 games for Salford, and his side sit just one point outside the play-offs.
Charlie Wellens – Oldham Athletic
Charlie Wellens started strongly at Oldham, making four consecutive starts in a variety of positions across midfield and also at left-back. He scored a goal in Oldham’s 3-2 win against Eastleigh.
Since September however, Wellens has managed only 36 minutes of football in two substitute appearances.
Dermot Mee - Altrincham
Mee was signed on an emergency loan, as both of Altrincham’s senior goalkeepers were injured, but since their return in early September, he has not made another appearance in a matchday squad and continues to train and play with United’s under-21 side.
The emergency loan does not expire until January, but barring another injury crisis, it seems unlikely Mee will play again for the National League side.
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