James Garner is said to be “hopeful” his successful Nottingham Forest loan spell could lead to him playing a role for parent club Manchester United next season.
The midfielder has been back to his best for the Reds of late, including excelling against Leicester City in Sunday’s 4-1 FA Cup triumph.
Just as in his first stint at the City Ground, when he joined for the second half of last term, Garner has been integral for Forest in recent weeks.
And the Manchester Evening News report sources close to the 20-year-old “are optimistic” that form could see him secure a first-team squad role at Old Trafford for 2022/23.
They add United “briefly discussed” recalling the youngster last month but opted against it, in favour of him being able to get regular football with Steve Cooper’s side.
After taking a little while to hit his stride since he returned to the banks of the Trent, Garner has been catching the eye as the Reds have climbed the Championship table and progressed to the fifth round of the cup.
When he does return to Old Trafford, there will be a different manager to impress, with Ralf Rangnick having been placed in interim charge following the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Garner recently said of spending the full season on loan at Forest: “Last season, I was moving place, moving clubs, moving locations; you’ve got to move everything and start over again, get used to a new team.
“I think it will help having a full year at one club.
“Getting used to things over and over again at different clubs can be quite tough.
“Having a year here makes it much easier.
“I was more than settled here last season as well.
“I’m quite an easy-going person, I can get on with most people, so the first week or two when I first came, I settled in straight away.
“Coming back, I already knew all the boys anyway, so that made it easy.”
