Defender Set To Leave Manchester United – Transfer To Go Through After Pre-Season

Manchester United host Rayo Vallecano on Sunday in what will be the club’s last pre-season game ahead of the new campaign.

Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to make his first pre-season appearance against the La Liga outfit. But the Red Devils still have to find a resolution, as the Portuguese has maintained his stance to leave.

Apart from Ronaldo’s uncertain future, John Murtough, United’s director of football, has been dealt with finalising exits of young talents at Carrington without hindering their development.

Ethan Laird is one such player, whose next destination should be hand-picked to suit his aggressive and attacking style of play. And it appears United have decided on Laird’s club for the season ahead.

According to the Manchester Evening News, the defender is set to join Watford on a season-long loan. The move is expected to be completed following the club’s last pre-season outing.

The 20-year-old has accepted to move to a third Championship club. He spent the first half of last season at Swansea City, before moving to Bournemouth, where the energetic full-back failed to repeat the exploits he displayed in Wales.

His departure will leave Erik ten Hag with Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka as his right-back options. Although it’s understood that Laird’s transfer doesn’t necessarily secure Wan-Bissaka’s future at Old Trafford, with United eager to shift the Englishman.