Charlie Savage is joining Forest Green Rovers on loan from Manchester United for the rest of the season – and other players could be joining him in departing Old Trafford, on a temporary basis at least.
Erik ten Hag has been able to add two players on loan this month, with Jack Butland coming in to replace Martin Dubravka as the No.2 goalkeeper until the end of the season, and Wout Weghorst coming in up front from Burnley.
It’s unlikely that United will do further business this month in terms of incomings. But the club want to send others out to get regular first team football, rather than stockpiling the reserves.
SPORTbible runs through some United players who could be joining Savage in heading out on loan…
Anthony Elanga
It has not been a productive season for Elanga, on the back of a breakout campaign under Ralf Rangnick last term.
The Swede actually made his United debut a year earlier under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but it was Rangnick’s stewardship that led to increased game time for Elanga. In truth, he was one of the only players to impress under the beleagured German interim boss.
But the 20-year-old hasn’t scored a goal under Erik ten Hag and finds himself behind a phalanx of talented wide players at the club, including new wing star Alejandro Garnacho – who has leapfrogged him.
Everton and Borussia Dortmund have been linked with loan moves. The final decision will rest with Ten Hag.
Facundo Pellistri
Pellistri finally made his United debut in their Carabao Cup quarter-final victory over Charlton Athletic earlier this month and made an instant impact, assisting Marcus Rashford for one of the decisive goals.
Yet despite that – and being an established Uruguay international – he remains on the periphery of Ten Hag’s squad.
It may come down to a straight decision between Pellistri and Elanga, given Jadon Sancho’s impending return and the form of other wingers. Many United fans have recently suggested Pellistri should be the one to stay with the first team squad, at Elanga’s expense.
Di’Shon Bernard
Centre-back Bernard hugely impressed on loan at Hull last season and, after a serious injury hit his chances of securing another loan move last summer, now could be the ideal time.
It’s claimed Bernard, who is 22, has a preference is to seal another Championship loan before the January deadline.
He’s not been in the first team picture at all this season, so this one is best for all parties.
Brandon Williams
Williams, also 22, has only played five minutes of competitive football all season for United, since returning from a season-long loan at Norwich in 2021/22.
He desperately needs some regular football and is said to be very keen on clinching a loan move before the January window is out.
United have four first team full-backs (Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Diogo Dalot, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia) all jostling for game time and Williams is out of the picture.
Zidane Iqbal
It has been reported that midfielder Iqbal would like a loan exit this month, although his close friend Savage leaving on loan may have reduced the Iranian interntional’s chances. United may be minded to keep a young midfielder in-house for the rest of the season, just in case of an injury emergency.
The 19-year-old is next in line behind Fred and Scott McTominay when it comes to the midfield pecking order right now, given that Donny van de Beek is sidelined for the season. Fellow teenager Kobbie Mainoo is pushing him close.
Axel Tuanzebe
The forgotten United defender has been pictured back in training more than a year after playing his last senior game. Tuanzebe had a torrid time on loan at Napoli last year and an injury has kept the 25-year-old out of Ten Hag’s plans for this season – if he was in them at all.
He hasn’t played for United since the 2021 Europa League final and will be looking for an escape route sooner rather than later. He’s versatile and could do a job for someone.
Source: sportbible
