"He’s a full-back in the mould that we want: he’s physical, he’s quick, he’s strong, technical as well driving forward with it. So we thought it was the time for him now to get this experience and we believe he can kick on in his career."
Those were the words of Ole Gunnar Solksjaer in late 2019 and two outings in the Europa League would soon follow for Manchester United teenager Ethan Laird. At 18 years of age, the buzz was very much there around the latest young talent to break onto the Old Trafford scene.
Powerful, dynamic full-backs were proving essential in the Premier League and United appeared to have one with an excitingly high ceiling in Laird. A loan move to MK Dons, in January 2021, fuelled the hype as Laird excelled in League One and earned himself a move up to the Championship that summer - to work under promising young coach Russell Martin once again.
