Queens Park Rangers' newly-appointed manager Neil Critchley wants to keep Manchester United's Ethan Laird on loan.
Laird, 21, joined QPR on a season-long loan in the summer, but the Manchester Evening News revealed last month that the right-back is one of a few players who the club are now considering recalling, along with Hannibal Mejbri and Amad. It's understood that although United are mindful of facilitating a player's development, senior sources have indicated the needs of the first-team take precedence amid possible squad adjustments in the New Year.
Erik ten Hag currently has Diogo Dalot, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Brandon Williams as his options at right back. Dalot has started 20 games from a possible 21 this term and he was assessed by medical staff on Friday after sustaining an injury with Portugal.
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Laird has made 18 starts for QPR in the Championship, but the London club has been forced to contend with a recent change of management, with Michael Beale accepting an offer to become the new manager of Rangers.
Critchley, who was most recently at Aston Villa as assistant head coach, has been appointed as his successor at QPR and he confirmed at his pre-match press conference prior to the weekend that he is hopeful of keeping Laird on loan.
“In any 12-month loan there is a natural break around mid-season and that applies to all players,” Critchley said on Friday.
“But Ethan has having a fantastic season here and playing every single week and I am sure Manchester United will be happy with Ethan and the way he’s been playing and his development. My aim is to carry that on.
"I see myself as someone who can coach players to improve in the team they are playing in. Ethan is someone I have been aware for many years coming through at United and I tried to sign him previously at Blackpool, which didn’t happen.
"So I am pleased that he is here and hopefully that is for the rest of the season.”
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