Ethan Laird became the second Manchester United academy graduate to leave the club in this summer's transfer window for an undisclosed fee on Friday, joining Birmingham City.
The right-back has joined the Championship outfit on a three-year deal, bringing his long-term spell at Old Trafford to an end. He has followed Zidane Iqbal in leaving the club on a permanent basis, following the Iraq international's switch to FC Utrecht at the start of this week.
Despite offering plenty of promise, either in United's youth system and out on loan, there was no clear path to the first-team for either of them, meaning permanent departures were in the best interests of all parties. They will both now be hoping to enjoy lucrative careers and earn regular game-time elsewhere.
