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Manchester United Loan Watch: Pereira dealt injury blow

Pereira out for a month, Johnstone and Tuanzebe help Aston Villa's promotion hopes, and Willock switches clubs.

Aston Villa v Burton Albion - Sky Bet Championship Photo by Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images

Timothy Fosu Mensah – Crystal Palace

After question marks earlier in the year about Fosu-Mensah’s playing time with Crystal Palace, Mourinho will be thrilled at the amount the youngster is playing. He has started in their last six games, in which the Eagles have only lost once.

In the past week, Palace have played twice, drawing 1-1 on both occasions. Firstly, a midweek match-up against West Ham United before coming from a goal behind to secure a point against Newcastle United. Fosu-Mensah took to social media to voice his disappointment at his own performance against the Magpies.

However, his level of performance has meant manager Roy Hodgson has found it almost impossible to leave the Dutchman out of the starting line-up. His next chance to impress is a trip to Goodison Park on Saturday to face Everton.

Andreas Pereira – Valencia CF

Pereira was dealt a huge blow when he was forced off at half-time in the Copa Del Rey semi-final game against Barcelona. Barcelona midfielder Sergio Roberto lunged into a challenge with the Valencia playmaker and caught his thigh. According to reports, Pereira has strained his vastus intermedius (thigh) and has severe bruising. He will be sidelined for a month.

Sam Johnstone – Aston Villa

Aston Villa are flying in the Championship and are the in-form side with six consecutive wins. Johnstone and the defense have been key to the sides performances, keeping four clean sheets in their past six games.

Johnstone has the third most clean-sheets in the league to date and has the most saves thus far at 92. Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce has once again voiced his admiration for the shot-stopper and continues his pursuit in a permanent deal for the 24-year-old.

“We hope he will be our keeper for the next five years,” Bruce told Birmingham Mail.

“That would delight me, he is a big tick as far as we are concerned.”

Sam and Villa face fierce City rivals Birmingham City on Sunday in what should be a mouth-watering contest.

Axel Tuanzebe – Aston Villa

Tuanzebe has played just 23 minutes so far for his new club. Still adapting to the team and the league, it is understandable he has not featured more. Yet, there are promising signs that manager Steve Bruce has faith in the youngster, bringing him as a right-back on to sure up Villa’s lead in the game against Burton Albion.

The England youth international performed with confidence when he came on, his athletic presence halted the speedy Lloyd Dyer effectively. He was also involved in third goal, setting up Elmohamady before the Egyptian found Grealish for the decisive winner.

James Wilson – Sheffield United

Wilson and Sheffield United have struggled since their win against Norwich City last month – a game in which Wilson scored. They have suffered back-to-back defeats against Aston Villa and Wolves respectively.

Although it’s been a tough past week, Wilson still has plenty of admirers. Former Manchester United man Clayton Blackmore, who featured 245 times for the Reds, believes that Wilson still can make the grade at Old Trafford.

“Willo (Wilson) is better than Vardy for me. Maybe he’s not quite as quick, but he runs better with the ball and he’s two footed.” Blackmore told Andy Mitten.

The 22-year-old will hope to push the Blades close to the play-off spots if they can beat rivals Leeds United on Saturday.

Demetri Mitchell – Hearts

Mitchell has enjoyed an explosive start to his loan move at Hearts. The versatile winger has contributed enormously and gained two man of the match awards in recognition of his performances.

Since our last report, Mitchell has played twice, a 3-1 loss at Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic, before a 1-0 home win against St. Johnstone. The 21-year-old was key in the home win, as his floated cross was not cleared by the defense, and Milinkovic fired home to seal all three points.

Craig Levein’s side will hope for a repeat, as they face St. Johnstone at home once again, this time in the Scottish Cup.

Dean Henderson – Shrewsbury Town

As we mentioned in our last report, Henderson has been banned until Feb. 10 because of his actions in the away game against Blackburn Rovers. Until then, the shot-stopper has been forced to watch his team from the stands.

Henderson did cause some confusion with United fans and Shrewsbury Town fans when he posted his commitment to the club on social media.

However, he is still a Manchester United player. The mix-up was due to a clause in his loan contract where he could return to Old Trafford in January if the club required.

Matty Willock – St. Johnstone

Manchester United announced at the end of January that Willock was to end his loan move at FC Utrecht, and to join St. Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership. After a positive start in Holland, the midfielder found first-team opportunities hard to come by. Both clubs believed that it was best for the loan move to end.

Willock, still yet to make his senior appearance with United, has joined Demetri Mitchell as the second United player to move on loan to Scotland. He has featured twice so far, starting both games. The first, a 1-0 defeat against Mitchell and Hearts, before an away loss against Motherwell.

Although yet to find points with his new club, Willock is getting regular first-team football at a good standard. He will hope to get one back against his former teammate Mitchell when St. Johnstone travel to Hearts this weekend.

Regan Poole – Northampton Town

The young Welshman has eclipsed 1,600 minutes in League One this year for Northampton Town in what has been a successful first loan move. In his last outing, Poole replaced Shay Facey after just 34 minutes in the 1-0 loss against Rochdale.

After four games unbeaten, the defeat leaves Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s side one place and one point above the relegation zone. Their next game is a crucial match-up away at fellow strugglers AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.