Ethan Laird is enjoying quite a promising loan spell at Swansea this season, having previously impressed in his half-season with MK Dons in the 2020/21 campaign.
Laird made his senior debut for Manchester United in 2019 but has yet to impress Solskjaer enough to become a permanent fixture in the club’s first-team roster.
He is, however, making huge strides in England’s second tier and impressed once again on Tuesday night as he assisted Swansea’s winner after a menacing run from his right-back position, as seen below.
Footage courtesy of the EFL & Swansea City
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Laird’s tireless run cut right through Coventry’s team and the move was finished off by Joel Piroe, whose goal ensured the Welsh club all three points against their Championship rivals.
SN’s verdict on Laird’s loan spell and his future at Old Trafford…
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has previously been reluctant to promote youngsters into his first team, with the ones selected usually only appearing in cameos or in training.
Very rarely do academy graduates become regulars in Solskjaer’s side but with doubts over Diogo Dalot’s future, there is a realistic pathway for Laird into the side. Laird is equally strong at both ends of the pitch and holds the upper hand over Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the final third.
In the last couple of years, only Mason Greenwood has successfully breached the barrier between academy football and senior action but Laird could become the next graduate to seal a long-term future at the highest level.
