Man Utd announce departure of defender who played three times in pre-season

Manchester United have confirmed that Will Fish has joined Scottish side Hibernian on loan for the 2023/24 season.

The centre-back returns to the Edinburgh club where he spent last campaign and played 21 times under Lee Johnson's watch, including starts in all of the last 17 league matches. Fish helped Hibs to a fifth-place finish last term, which secured a Europa Conference League spot, and the Scottish club face Inter d'Escaldes of Andorra on Thursday night in a second-round qualifier.

Hibs play the return leg next week, before kicking off their domestic season with a home clash against St Mirren on Sunday 6 August.

Fish played three times for United in pre-season, including a 1-0 win over Lyon in Edinburgh. The 20-year-old also featured in the win over Leeds United and played 90 minutes in the 3-1 loss to Wrexham on Wednesday.

Fish came through the youth system at Old Trafford and captained the Under-18 and Under-21 sides, while he also has made one senior appearance. The defender came on in the final stages of a Premier League victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in May 2021.

Following the news of his departure on Thursday, the Red Devils said via their website: “Everybody at United would like to wish Will and Hibs the best of luck for the 2023/24 season.”

It leaves United with Rhys Bennett and Willy Kambwala as the club's main centre-back options at Under-21 level, although the experienced Jonny Evans has been involved in the youth set-up during pre-season.