with you on that mateJust annoyed at the club in general right now
Ethan Laird
- Thread starter Adnan
- Start date
Yeah, we are all annoyed this morning. Var and referee against us.
does anyone know if he is still injured or back inn training?
Back in training IIRC
Not surprised, he’s absolute quality. Of all the players I’ve been excited to see get a go in the first team, Laird is the one I’m most excited for. In my opinion, he has all the qualities to be a fantastic modern full back.
Unlike a certain £50m player we bought this summer?
Can't wait to see him feature 
Have we tied him down long term yet? Can't remember seeing anything.
Interesting!! Really hope he gets a chance, i'm a big fan of his.
The feck are you on about? I’m complimenting Laird, what’s Wan-Bissaka got to do with this?
Merely suggesting that if we are going to play with no right-winger, we should at least have an attacking fullback. And that AWB is not an attacking fullback.
As for Laird: I agree with you 100%! The one amongst the youngster (together with Greenwood) that I think are most likely to adapt to the modern game. Laird, as far as I have seen, does not seem to have any weakness in his game. Physically, he is fast, mobile and strong. He can receive, dribble and his close control is really good. His short passing is decent. Should learn to hit top spin crosses from deep. Can't evaluate the defensive part of his game as this is difficulty to access at this level.
This kid goes from strength to strength! Looks an absolute beast at the minute physically and showing leadership skills too! His attacking play has always been outstanding but the defensive side is improving rapidly now too! Would love to see him get a few Europa games!
I’ve not seen much of this lad but from what I’m hearing, he looks a real talent. Is his best position RB or LB or is he very comfortably good in both positions?
He prefers playing at RB. He's been deployed at CB at times in the past but definitely doesn't like playing in that position and even made that known to his Father on the sidelines on one occasion.
If he can stay injury free, then I believe he will make the RB spot his own in time.
RB. He's really good at being able to pick out players when crossing. Not necessarily saying his crossing technique is great like Beckham, more so that his ability to be aware of where his teammates are and then finding them when the opportunities present themselves is an outstanding attribute of his.
Played really well and deserves more chances .
He did well, the way he takes on defenders and beats them is fun to watch, he repeats it many times and beats the defender more often than not.
For a first start, he did well.
For a first start, he did well.
He and Greenwood are the two that are both physically and technically head and shoulders above the rest of the youth players. The only issue with Laird is that he seems to have some lapses in decisionmaking defensively during the latter stages of matches.
Great cut in the first half and solid pass to Lingard setting him up for another goal chance.
Have to say wasn't very impressed with Gomes tonight. He didn't seem willing to take players on or move into threatening areas. Greenwood looks miles ahead of him atm (although he's still got plenty of time on his side).
1st time I’ve ever seen this lad play and I really liked what I saw. Probably the only player in a Utd shirt that was actually trying to show some attacking intent by driving forward with the ball and trying to create an opportunity. Hopefully gets given a few more chances as definitely looks a talented prospect.
Maybe we should learn from our recent mistakes and make sure this kid goes on loan.
When players still are teenagers sending them out on loan deals tend to not be such a good idea, as they probably are just going to end up warming a bench somewhere. Also our U23 team is better then most League One sides, so making sure our talents gets a full season at the U23 level is fine.
Agreed.
The lads barely turned 18 and is only recently back from a few injury setbacks. He should at the very least be here here until the end of the season. And I know first hand that he believes he can make the RB spot his own over Wan Bissaka who doesn't have the attacking capabilities of Laird.
We should loan him in January. There’s a world of difference to u23s and men’s football.
Look at how the loan spell at Wigan done wonders for Reece James.
Look at how the loan spell at Wigan done wonders for Reece James.
I'd prefer someone like him at right back, AWB is more of a DM for me. Doesn't get forward properly to make an impact
Great debut from an excellent player. Delighted to see him in the first team.
That will be a tricky situation. After spending 50+ mil on AWB, we put him on the bench for Laird? Unless we play Ethan as a wingback to accommodate both?
I think eventually Laird will bench him due to having a superior allround game even under Ole. Under a new manager like Rose or Nagelsmann, I don't see AWB getting the nod over a talent like Laird. AWB will either have to be moulded into a new position or will become deadwood IMO within 18 months due to his limitations as a fullback.
Oh my god, I'm just imagining his passing in the centre of midfield.
Laird has been good for so long, he is sometimes he gets caught out too far forward. Reminds me of Valencia so right footed it's unreal, but it's like Dan James we all know what he's going to do it's stopping him.
Please can I have this week's lotto numbers?
Don't bother you wont win. Somebody else will, imo.
You don't need to predict the future to see that AWB is a very limited fullback that would struggle to make the bench at top clubs.
There's plenty of games for both Wan Bissaka and Laird, the players who need to watch their backs are Dalot and Young. Young is close to being done anyways but Dalot, whenever he recovers from injuries has stiff competition for both fullback spots with AWB, Laird, Shaw and Williams all looking impressive.
Yeah, if Laird can step up to the level to push AWB out of the team then it will make squad very strong at least in FB position. There will be injuries, rotations, inconsistent form and like you said plenty of games for both.
He's 22 years old and has 53 EPL games to his name. Who do you want there instead Young, Laird or Dalot;
https://www.redcafe.net/match-day/#season-stats the guy is fourth is on the caf's ratings board - that's the caf's
Rashford has 5.4 our leading goal scorer.
Half the team struggles to make the bench at a top club, in fact name five RB's in the EPL that you'd have over him?