Phil SumblerAs Russell Martin starts the shaping of his Swansea City squad for the new season with what could end up being a double raid on Old Trafford for loan signings with Ethan Laird close to completing a deal and us very much in the running for James Garner.
Laird – a defender – is well known to Martin as he had him on loan last season at MK Dons and it is reported that the deal to bring him to Swansea is close to completion.
Speaking on his return to Old Trafford at the end of his loan spell last season, Laird outlined his hopes of being able to compete for places with the first team longer term but for that to happen it always seemed likely that another loan move would be in the offing.
“I can’t really give you a set answer on my future just yet, but I know that my long-term aim is to establish myself with United. Let’s just see what happens in the summer,” he said.
Laird was up to the challenge with an enterprising Dons side and impressed in defence and attack, bombing up and down the right flank to good effect. He also discussed the key differences to Under-23s football during his interview with the club’s official magazine.
“Honestly, every game means a little bit more,” he admitted. “I can’t lie to you because it’s points on the board and it’s people’s lives, you now. But more it’s been the physicality of it for me, just dealing with players that are almost twice as big as you, jumping up for headers, this and that, knowing you’re going to get hit, but you have to go for it anyway.
“You have to fly back and forward but everything else has been kind of similar. I can’t lie to you. But yeah, that’s, that’s pretty much the main difference, the physicality part of it and a few tactical changes.”
Meanwhile, as revealed on here a few weeks back, the Swans are still keen on a loan move for James Garner although with three Championship rivals and 2 Premier League clubs also showing an interest success on this front is looking less likely.
After his spell at Nottingham Forest last season it is expected he will make a Premier League loan move this season but – as per the tweet before – a decision is most likely on the game time he can be offered and that brings the Championship sides to the fore?
In addition to Forest/Sheff Utd/Stoke/Swansea, 2 Premier League clubs have registered an interest in signing James Garner on a season-long loan from #MUFC
Whilst PL football may seem preferable, a decision will largely be based on which club can offer a decent amount of game time— Jønathan Shrager (@JonathanShrager) August 4, 2021
