Manchester United's defender Ethan Laird and Astana's Kazakh defender Abzal Beysebekov vie for the ball during the UEFA Europa League group L football match between Astana and Manchester United in Nur-Sultan on November 28, 2019. (Getty Images)
Manchester United have announced that academy kid Ethan Laird has signed a new three-and-a-half-year deal. The deal will keep the teenager at the club until June 2023, with the option to extend for a further year.
The Englishman, 18, has made his Manchester United debut in the 2-1 Europa League defeat to Astana in November. He also came on in the final Europa League group game against AZ Alkmaar at Old Trafford.
It has been an inconsistent 2019/20 season for the Red Devils, yet Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are 5th in the table. In a season full of ups and downs, there has been one shining light – the youth. Solskjaer has promoted academy talents, with players such as Mason Greenwood, Angel Gomes, Brandon Williams, James Garner, Tahith Chong and a few more appearing for the first-team this term.
Trusting youth is something that is etched into Manchester United’s history forever and Solskjaer has continued that rich culture of promoting academy kids and hungry youngsters. Ethan Laird is one such talented academy kid who has already played for the senior team in two Europa League games.
A right-back by trade, Laird joined the United academy as a nine-year-old and has risen steadily through the club’s system. He has continued his development this season and was a key figure for United’s Under-18s last season, often winning a place in the Under-23s too. The defender has played for England’s Under-17 and Under-18 teams in recent years.
Laird has played in the Premier League 2 this season, supplying three assists in 10 games. Although a right-back, his versatility allows him to perform at centre-back when required. With Solskjaer offering opportunities to youngsters this season, there’s no reason why Laird cannot enjoy his breakthrough campaign at Old Trafford next season.
Ashley Young’s departure to Inter Milan in January means Solskjaer now has two right-backs in Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot. Wan-Bissaka, who joined United from Crystal Palace in the summer, has arguably been the club’s most consistent performer since the start of the season.
Dalot has had an injury-ravaged campaign and while the Portuguese is now fully fit and raring to make a mark, there’s every reason for Laird to be optimistic and challenge for the right-back spot next term.
Solskjaer has shown at United that he is willing to put his faith in the next generation. Laird is one of the standout academy talents and has the potential to play for the first-team. Thus, the Red Devils’ decision to offer the right-back a new deal is definitely a step in the right direction.
