Man Utd ‘agree’ Championship loan deal with QPR for youth-team star

Manchester United defender Ethan Laird is set to join Queens Park Rangers on loan, according to reports.

The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath tweeted on Thursday to say Laird will join the Championship side for the 2022/23 season.

It’s a report which has been substantiated by the Manchester Evening News, who claim the right-back’s proposed loan move to Watford was scuppered due to the Hornets signing Mario Gaspar from Villarreal.

As per the MEN, Laird opted for a move to QPR rather than Preston North End, who were also interested.

The 21-year-old impressed in pre-season and was one of the Red Devils’ standout performers in a 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano.

Laird also spent last season on loan in the Championship, representing Swansea City in the first half of the campaign and he played 21 times for the Welsh club, registering four assists.

However, the full-back opted to switch to Bournemouth in January, a loan move which didn’t prove as successful. The United youngster played just six times and was often left out of the matchday squad as the Cherries clinched promotion back to the Premier League.

It leaves the Red Devils with three senior options at right-back. Diogo Dalot remains first choice, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka his closest competitor.

Brandon Williams is another option, but he appears not to be in Erik ten Hag’s plans.

ManchesterWorld has been told United would like to sign a right-back this summer, with Denzel Dumfries, Kyle Walker-Peters and Sergio Dest linked at various stages over the window.