Two potential deals for Manchester United’s James Garner fell through last week, although the midfield star will still leave on loan this summer.
It is understood that Huddersfield Town and Coventry City were both interested in season-long loan deals for the 19-year-old, although he is not expected to join either club. Other league clubs have since brought the offers to the table, with United making a decision soon.
The expectation at Old Trafford remains that Garner will join a league team for the remainder of the 2020/21 season.
The club is considering the right option for the player, with so many clubs to choose from, who want to make sure he will play football regularly.
Swansea City and Sheffield Wednesday had already been in the mix to sign Garner on loan, though United sources told MEN Sport the club Swans have never made official contact. Instead, they signed Morgan Gibbs-White on loan from the Wolves. Cardiff City is not interested.
Under 23 boss Neil Wood told MEN Sport earlier this summer that a loan would seriously benefit Garner’s development. The central midfielder scored nine goals in 12 U23 appearances last season, regularly captaining the team.
“If they are not part of the first team there is no reason to keep them playing in the U23s,” Wood said of Garner and Tahith Chong, who has since moved to Werder Bremen on loan. “It wouldn’t be fair to their individual development.”
“Now they are at the point where they need to go and play in the league, play in a first team environment, play in those games every week where they will be stretched and have difficulty.
“The incentive is there, it’s not that they’re going out on loan and we’re trying to find an exit strategy for them.
“They will come on loan to show how good they are, to show what they can do and to make an impact in the club they are in, and hopefully they will be a Manchester United player again.”
.
