Manchester United Loan Watch: Week 5

Timothy Fosu-Mensah – Crystal Palace

Fosu-Mensah has been resigned to the bench by Hodgson in the last two Premier League matches; the 1-0 loss to Newcastle United and the thrilling 2-2 draw against West Ham. However, the upside is that Timmy is getting minutes. He has been the first sub that Hodgson turns to, with Fosu-Mensah coming on for the injured Van Aanholt after just 11 minutes in the draw against West Ham.

He has an assured playing style that is deemed far beyond his years, reading the game well defensively and looking composed on the ball. Timmy is looking a good young player in the challenging Premier League, let’s hope Hodgson continues to provide him the valuable experience he requires. Next up is a tough trip to Wembley to face Spurs.

Andreas Pereira – Valencia CF

Pereira has been a name that is circling around Old Trafford as a potential returner to the squad, mostly because of the injury crises we have at that position and the large build-up of games United are facing over the winter period. According to Plaza Deportiva, United may look to recall the young Brazilian in January.

Since our last report on Pereira, he has helped Valencia win back-to-back games; stretching the Spanish sides winning run to six. They are now second in the league, only four points behind Barcelona. Up next for Pereira is a home tie against Leganes.

Sam Johnstone – Aston Villa

Sam Johnstone has helped Villa go unbeaten in the last three games, keeping clean sheets in two and only conceding one goal. The last result was a 2-0 away win at Preston North End – a club Johnstone enjoyed a loan spell at. Manager Steve Bruce still has much admiration for his goalkeeper, he told BBCWM, “My two centre-backs and goalkeeper were immaculate all night”.

Sam also kept a clean sheet against bitter rivals Birmingham City on Sunday, saving well on multiple occasions. The shot-stopper will look to continue the good form with a home match-up against Sheffield Wednesday.

Cameron Borthwick-Jackson – Leeds United

Since our last report on Borthwick-Jackson, he has only featured in 45 minutes of football, which was in the EFL cup tie against Leicester City. Starting the game, he was subbed off at half-time. An injury has limited his chances since then. Leeds United continue to struggle, losing twice at home and winning only once.

The severity of his injury is unclear, yet previous non-inclusions into the squad and only a handful of appearances and minutes played keeps Borthwick-Jackson a fringe player in this Championship team. His recall in January still looks likely.

Dean Henderson – Shrewsbury Town

Henderson and Shrewsbury Town’s historic unbeaten run finally came to a close as a magical strike from 40-yards out clinched the 3-points for Peterborough United. Henderson was caught off his line and Marcus Maddison dispatched a thunderous volley beating the young keeper. It was a black mark on what was an excellent display from Henderson, who kept his side in the game on numerous occasions. Nevertheless, with only one loss on the season, Shrewsbury Town remain top of League One.

Henderson will look to bounce back from the set-back with a FA Cup First Round tie against Aldershot Town on Saturday.

Regan Poole – Northampton Town

After a disappointing run of form, Northampton Town have won their last two in a push to escape the relegation zone in League One. Poole has featured in the last two games, performing well in both. His form for Northampton Town has again earned hims a call-up to the Welsh U-21 side. Poole will be involved in their games against Romania and Bosnia and Herzegovina later this month.

Devonte Redmond – Scunthorpe United

Redmond still has yet to play any major minutes in the league for Scunthorpe United, however, an inclusion into the starting line-up in Tuesday’s EFL cup tie against Doncaster was a promising sign for the youngster. Although losing on penalties, Redmond can keep his head high, after slotting his calmly past the keeper. It remains to be seen if manager Graham Alexander will include him in league play.

Matty Willock – FC Utrecht

After convincingly beating Heerenveen in our last report, Willock and FC Utrecht have salvaged only one point in the last two games and have been knocked out of the KNVB Cup. In that period, Willock has only played an hour of football, after coming off the bench in the loss to VVV. Venlo in the KNVB Cup.

Willock will continue to push for first-team action in Holland, and hope to gain some experience. Whether or not a recall comes in January balances on his playing time.