James Garner has been impressing while out on loan at Nottingham Forest. The 21-year-old midfielder has been crucial to the Championship side's push for promotion, with four league goals and eight assists helping them to a fourth-place finish.
With a 2-1 win against Sheffield United on Saturday night in the first leg of the play-off semi-final, Forest moved one step closer to a return to the Premier League. Earning a promotion with your loan side is a great thing to add to any young player's CV and Garner could be about to do just that.
The Manchester Evening News understands that Garner could be given a chance in the United first team next season under Erik ten Hag. But is keeping him at Old Trafford next season the best way to aid Garner's development?
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With Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard all set to leave the club this summer, there is a spot open for Garner to act as a rotation option next season. This would allow him to learn the ropes under Ten Hag and fully adapt to his philosophy, but there could also be a benefit to the midfielder getting regular game time.
If Forest get promoted to the Premier League, it could be best to let Garner return there for one final season on loan. This would be like when United allowed Dean Henderson to return to Sheffield United.
Henderson was the best goalkeeper in the Championship and was a major reason why Sheffield United secured promotion in the 2018-19 season. To give him some experience in the Premier League, United let him return to the club the following season.
Henderson had another outstanding campaign in his first year in the Premier League. He kept 13 clean sheets in 36 league games for the Blades, only conceding 33 goals as Sheffield United came ninth.
If Garner could have a similar impact with Forest if they reached the Premier League, it would certainly stand him in good stead for when he returns to Old Trafford. And even if he struggled next season, he would still have bagged valuable experience of playing at the top level should Forest secure promotion.
A lot of things are hopefully going to change under Ten Hag and the midfield will likely be an area that United look to invest in, so Garner could find himself way down the pecking order if he does remain at Old Trafford. Forest's promotion to the Premier League could offer United another option as they look to develop their talented midfield maestro.
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