Manchester United are reportedly set to trial a radical new transfer policy for the younger members of their squad and academy prospects.
The Red Devils routinely send a stable of stars out to lower league clubs to gain experience of senior football, with varying degrees of success. Sending players on loan is a valuable tool in the development of young stars and is one used by many Premier League sides.
Most of those loans last either six months or for a whole season, with the only chance to cut it short being in the January transfer window. But that can create problems if a player is not being given the game time they expected to receive at their temporary destination.
And United are now set to take a different method to ensure that as many of their youngsters as possible enjoy successful loan moves. According to The Sun, the Red Devils will bring in a 'try before you sign' policy with the prospects looking to leave on loan.
It is stated that this policy will see those players go on trial for three weeks with any clubs who are interested in taking them on loan. United hope this will let the player see if they like that prospective suitor and give the club a chance to assess the potential signing in person.
Several fringe players will be offered this new policy in the coming weeks as transfer business begins to ramp up. One player who may benefit is Nathan Bishop, who the report states is being eyed by Wycombe Wanderers.
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Bishop spent last season on loan at Mansfield Town, starting every game as they reached the League Two play-off final. His performances in the fourth tier have drawn the eye of Wycombe who are looking for a new keeper after seeing David Stockdale join Sheffield Wednesday.
The new policy also comes amid a revamp of academy staff at United, with FA Youth Cup winning coach Travis Binnion being promoted to head of player development and coaching. Mark Dempsey has been appointed as Under-23s boss while also leading the academy coaching teams.
He will be assisted in the Under-23s by Paul McShane, who has been handed a professional development phase coaching role. With Justin Cochrane leaving the club, United will seek out a new goalkeeper coach, phase coach and playing coach, with head of academy Nick Cox hopeful the changes will see more prospects be promoted into the first-team set-up.
“The increase in flexibility reflects our bespoke approach to player development, focusing on supporting individuals to reach their potential by working with each specialist coach at the optimal time," he said.
“They possess an outstanding set of complementary skills that will best support this group of players. I am proud of the world-class learning environment that we have created for our staff and take great satisfaction in seeing them progress both within the club or through external opportunities.
“The changes implement an ideal blend of long-standing club personnel and outstanding external appointments as we continue to appoint best-in-class staff throughout our world-leading youth development system.”
