Donald Love

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Introducing... Donald Love
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Manchester United defender Donald Love continues to learn his trade at the club and has benefited from playing alongside Jonny Evans for the Under-21s.
The 20-year-old is adapting his game as he hopes to help Warren Joyce’s side go one better than last term when Chelsea won the national title at Old Trafford, and the youngster is enjoying life at the Aon Training Complex...

Is it true Sir Alex Ferguson personally scouted you as a schoolboy?
Well, I was watched a couple of times by him but that’s because I played against his grandson when he was younger. I don’t know if he noticed me or not! I was already at United then anyway as I would play for my local team but train with United at weekends. I actually signed when I was seven. We had tournaments where I’d play against Egerton, the team Sir Alex’s grandson played for.

Your brother Archie is also a footballer – is there any sibling rivalry?
Yes, kind of. He’s a year older but we’ve never played against each other. We played at Northwich Town together and he came to United but was too old to sign. He was at Burnley but he has been injured and he’ll get another club soon when he gets back to fitness.

You’ve tended to play right-back but have been in the middle as well…
I’ve been playing centre-back quite a lot now. It’s different but it helps me if I go out to right-back with my defending and reading of the game. I think it gives me a chance to bring the ball out and I must stay focused. Usually, I’m quite quiet but I have to talk a lot more. I was playing with Jonny Evans and he talks a lot. He said before the game we needed to make sure we carried on talking to know where our men were and let each other know what was happening. It makes everything easier. Michael Carrick played with us at West Ham too and he’s just different class.

Where do you feel your long-term role will be?
I think if we play five at the back, I would be the right-sided centre-half. I’d rather watch that player in the first team than the wing-back because, although I think I could play there, I’m not sure wing-back would be my natural position. I could do it but I see myself as a defender first and foremost. I’ve not played in midfield too much and I might have to grow to be a centre-back. If I do, I could play there but I can definitely be part of a central three.

What does it mean to you to play for United?
There is pride whenever I pull on the shirt. I know how hard I've got to work every day and I just have to try my best. The game is changing but we have one of the best youth systems around. It’s great if homegrown lads can come through because the fans back you.
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Hopefully that will be never the case Donald!!!
 
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Great name. Loved hearing that about Carrick in there too. It must be great for those lads to see someone like Carrick in the flesh and how much time and space he creates for himself.

Reminds me of when I was playing Sunday league at about 15/16 and this guy came and played with us for a few weeks who was about 50 but played for Leicester in his early 20's and went through the England Schoolboy and Under System before retiring due to injury and becoming a Maths/PE Teacher.

He sat in midfield and probably ran about 100 yards in 90 minutes but made about 80 tackles and his passing was unreal. What stood out the most though was his touch, the ball would be high and swinging towards him and one little cute touch and he rolled away from his man and had an acre of space and 10 minutes to play the next pass.

I've always found it fascinating the difference in ability as you go up through the levels of any sport. It's the forethought that goes into everything that stands out, they already know what is going to happen in the next 10 seconds and as such it's rarely a case of reaction more so the case that they just act out what they know will happen.
 
LOVEly name. The only thing that worries me is that it says that he 'benefitted from playing alongside Jonny Evans'. Well, let's fecking hope he didn't learn much because that's not the best role model out there.
 
Called up to the latest Scotland U21s squad.Fletcher suggested him to their manager apparently.
 
Played well yesterday vs. Man City.He's more likely to play in the Championship soon than make it with United but I like him personally, good defender and a typical United lad.
 
Some of the Wigan supporters thought he was good and should be their MoTM today apparently.His first start after 3 sub appearances for them.
 
Nice to hear he is doing well, hopefully he can break into the starting XI. He is a good solid player, hard to really predict how good he will become, he could easily end up a solid PL player but he could just as easily end up a solid League One player. We'll never know until he is tested at each level as he has done well at every level he has played.

Reece James sounds like he is doing well there too and should be helping Donald feel at home. Still surprised Reece went to a League One side, he is a quality player. Seems Donald might have taken Andy Kellett's spot on the bench as well as he hasn't featured since Donald joined them. Also likely fighting Reece for that LWB spot so won't have much luck there. Always impressed during his time here so I hope he gets on well.
 
Pexbo said:
Great name. Loved hearing that about Carrick in there too. It must be great for those lads to see someone like Carrick in the flesh and how much time and space he creates for himself.

Reminds me of when I was playing Sunday league at about 15/16 and this guy came and played with us for a few weeks who was about 50 but played for Leicester in his early 20's and went through the England Schoolboy and Under System before retiring due to injury and becoming a Maths/PE Teacher.

He sat in midfield and probably ran about 100 yards in 90 minutes but made about 80 tackles and his passing was unreal. What stood out the most though was his touch, the ball would be high and swinging towards him and one little cute touch and he rolled away from his man and had an acre of space and 10 minutes to play the next pass.

I've always found it fascinating the difference in ability as you go up through the levels of any sport. It's the forethought that goes into everything that stands out, they already know what is going to happen in the next 10 seconds and as such it's rarely a case of reaction more so the case that they just act out what they know will happen.
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Yeah there was this one guy when I played football with my cousins and neighbourhood kids who was ridicilously good. His dribbling was insane, we couldn't touch him. He'd dribble past 6-7 kids with ease and score every single time. You really appreciate that rare talent more when you experience it in real life rather than watching it with your lazy ass on the couch in front of the tv.
 
Club confirm utility player due at Man United in January

Wigan Athletic have confirmed via their official website that a deal to keep Donald Love has been extended, but only until January. The Manchester United player has been on loan with Wigan but unfortunately his spell there has been interrupted by injury.

Love was unfortunate to suffer a quad strain after breaking into the Wigan side, managed by Gary Caldwell, and now back in training he'll be eager to get some games under his belt.

Caldwell has said about the 21 year old "Donald was unlucky because he had been doing well prior to getting injured and he adds great competition on the right hand side. He’s a young player who’s still learning the game and his attitude has been terrific since being with the group.”

Love is due back at Manchester United on January 7th and if there's no further additions, and injury issues continue, then he may well find himself in the first team squad. A year older than Paddy McNair, Love can play in central defence, at right back and even as a defensive midfielder - a useful option for a squad once again struggling with injuries.
http://sportwitness.ning.com/forum/topics/club-confirm-utility-player-due-at-man-united-in-january
 
Next man up at Fullback? We have Varela and CBJ there, I'm guessing if we need more cover he'd be next up. I might be wrong but I think he's already trained with the 1st team earlier this season?
 
Sid234 said:
Next man up at Fullback? We have Varela and CBJ there, I'm guessing if we need more cover he'd be next up. I might be wrong but I think he's already trained with the 1st team earlier this season?
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I'd imagine it will be him or Weir, but if it's up to me I will call up Fosu-Mensah to cover both CB and RB and let Blind plays LB when needed.
 
khoazany said:
I'd imagine it will be him or Weir, but if it's up to me I will call up Fosu-Mensah to cover both CB and RB and let Blind plays LB when needed.
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Do you think TFM is ready to step up? I think if we're not able to sign anyone Van Gaal might end up recalling Blackett
 
Sid234 said:
Next man up at Fullback? We have Varela and CBJ there, I'm guessing if we need more cover he'd be next up. I might be wrong but I think he's already trained with the 1st team earlier this season?
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Good call.
 
8th player from the academy given a chance by Van Gaal. He's doing something right, you've got to give him that.
 
He's made a couple mistakes but that's expected. His confidence in going forward and willingness to not panic when he has the ball/defending much is quite good
 
Are we really going to call him Donald Love when we can call him Don Love?
 
I dont rate him but has done well considering the circumstances...
 
Surprisingly confident technically going forward.
 
Might be harsh, but we are in desperate straits when we have to call on Donald Love in an important league match.

He's not terrible, his form has been very good recently for the u21s, but in my opinion he just isn't talented enough for a role even as a squad player at United
 
Decent performance but his positioning worries me.Solid lad though and quite quick going forward.
 
I won't blame him but he was fecking shite attacking and defending.

I'm surprised he's getting any praise for anything other than participating.
 
Drainy said:
Might be harsh, but we are in desperate straits when we have to call on Donald Love in an important league match.

He's not terrible, his form has been very good recently for the u21s, but in my opinion he just isn't talented enough for a role even as a squad player at United
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Every team would be in dire straits with 3 RBs injured.
 
Drainy said:
Might be harsh, but we are in desperate straits when we have to call on Donald Love in an important league match.

He's not terrible, his form has been very good recently for the u21s, but in my opinion he just isn't talented enough for a role even as a squad player at United
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I'd agree but unfortunately we don't have any other choice at the moment with all of our fullback options are made of glass.
 
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