MK Dons have signed Manchester United defender Ethan Laird on loan.
Laird, an England Under-19 international, will spend the remainder of the 2020/21 campaign at Stadium MK.
The pacy young full-back has made two senior appearances for Man Utd, both of which have come in the UEFA Europa League. The deal is subject to clearance from the relevant authorities.
“I'm buzzing to get started,” Laird told mkdons.com after linking up with his new teammates in Lancashire.
“The manager has shown a lot of faith in me and what I can do for the team, and that’s all I could ask for - it’s now up to me show why he was right to choose me.
“I need to work my way into the team and get to know the lads, but I want to make as much of an impact as I can while I’m here. That’s something I’ll always hold myself too - how can I affect my teammates and the Club in a positive way.
“This is the perfect place for me to continue developing, with the way the team play. They are aggressive, they like to get in behind and they leave it all out on the pitch and that's my idea of football.
"I believe in the manager’s idea of the way we play and I want to make sure that I can help make that happen. I know we can achieve good things if we stick to the manager's beliefs and implement them on the pitch.
“In terms of who I am - I'm quick, I like to dribble with the ball and I'm always looking to get in behind and put in crosses. I have bundles of energy and I'll be looking to put that to good use!"
Laird has been with Manchester United from a young age, with the 2017/18 season marking a breakout year for the defender who, as a first-year scholar, made 19 appearances for the Under-18s as well as featuring for the Under-23s and in UEFA Youth League.
Two years later, he netted his first-ever goal for Man Utd in an EFL Trophy win over Rotherham United before making his full senior debut in a Europa League match against Astana in Kazakhstan in November 2019.
A second first-team appearance soon followed, in United’s home win over AZ Alkmaar in the same competition, which preceded the signing of a new contract in February 2020.
He has been limited to just four games this term, though, one of which was a start in Man Utd’s 6-0 win over Salford City in the Papa John’s Trophy.
Manager Russell Martin said: “Ethan is someone with real quality and we’re really pleased to be able to bring him in. He’s chosen to come here over a number of options, which is brilliant for us.
“He’s very explosive but with lots of quality on the ball and he can play in a couple of positions in defence or further forward, which gives us some more versatility.
“He’s really highly thought of at Man United and we are very grateful to them for allowing us the opportunity to work with him. We’re looking forward to that opportunity and hopefully, he’ll come in and add something to the group.”
