Di’Shon Bernard is the most likely of Manchester United’s young players to head out on loan this week.
United have already sent a number of academy stars out on loan this summer, with Max Taylor the latest to follow Under-23 teammates Dylan Levitt, James Garner, Tahith Chong, Matej Kovar and Aliou Traore in securing a temporary move.
And MEN Sport understands centre-back Bernard, 19, has been in talks with League One and League Two clubs over a possible loan until the end of the season.
The London-born defender has made just one senior appearance for United, starting in the 2-1 defeat by Astana in the Europa League almost a year ago, though he’s a leading member of Neil Wood’s Under-23 squad.
United, however, remain committed to sending many of their best young stars out on loan to get experience of senior football.
Bernard could find a club before this Friday’s transfer deadline for EFL clubs. It is understood that right-back Ethan Laird and Spanish central midfielder Arnau Puigmal are likely to remain at Old Trafford, with Laird now training regularly with the first team group. Teden Mengi is another remaining with United and is a part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s senior squad too.
It is United’s policy to ensure their Under-23s squad has a youthful look, with many of the current players around 18 years old. Anthony Elanga, Hannibal Mejbri and Ethan Galbraith are the main stars of that side right now.
Earlier this summer, Wood explained the club’s strategy on loans to MEN Sport.
“We’d never hold them back,” he said. “The lads that are earmarked to go on loan, we’re not going to keep them back just to play in the Under-23 league, we recognise that the next challenge for them is to go out in the league, go and play twice a week, meet the demands of that and perform well.
“At the moment they’re still with us, there’s a lot of interest and it comes down to player decisions as well.”