Manchester United have decided to extend defender Ethan Laird's contract for another year, with manager Erik ten Hag set to take another look at the 21-year-old in pre-season.
Laird spent last year on loan at Championship side Queens Park Rangers after featuring for United in pre-season and he looks set to be offered another opportunity to impress Ten Hag.
The full-back was set to be out of contract the end of the month and available on a free transfer. However, the Manchester Evening News report that United have taken up an option to extend Laird's deal for a further year.
He made 33 appearances in all competitions for QPR last season as they finished 20th. The report adds that Laird, who has been with United since the age of 10, will 'be assessed in pre-season' once the squad returns from their summer break.
With both Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot ahead of him in the pecking order, it is claimed United will look to either loan him out again or sell him. And while United have opted to extend Laird's contract, three players have already been released after their deal's expired.
Academy graduates Ethan Galbraith and Di'Shon Bernard have both departed Old Trafford, while Phil Jones has also left following 12 years at the club. United have yet to complete any new signings this summer, but Ten Hag is desperate to strengthen his squad.
" Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs in the world, one of the biggest two or three from a fanbase perspective," Ten Hag said last month. "The club has to compete for the highest in the world - the Champions League and Premier League.
"But in football you need funds to construct squads because, at end of the day, the level of your players decides if you are successful or not. Everyone knows you need funds to construct a squad and high level players cost a lot of money.
"That's the situation nowadays in top football. I think it's clear what I want, but it's not up to me. It's about others in this club. The family are the owners, they make the decisions, it's not up to me. I do everything I can and I influence the processes that I'm in charge of."
