Confirmed: Ten Hag to allow promising first-team youngster loan move

Robin Bairner

• 27 Jan 2023 07:38 CST
• 3 min read

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is finalising his plans for the last days of the January transfer window – but rather than make signings, the Old Trafford side are likelier to offload players in the closing hours of the window.

It has been a difficult balancing act for Ten Hag over the last month.

With limited funds to spend, he has been able to add only Jack Butland and Wout Weghorst to his squad on loan from Championship sides Stoke and Burnley respectively.

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Meanwhile, there has been no significant outgoing of first-team players. Indeed, the only player that Ten Hag has lost this month has been Martin Dubravka, whose loan from Newcastle was terminated after he failed to find any game time.

One of the reasons that United have been reticent to release players has been a lack of first-team depth, yet with days left in the window, the Red Devils are now ready to release some of their fringe stars.

Anthony Elanga is set to be the principle benefactor of this policy, with ESPN confirming that the Sweden international winger will be allowed to depart.

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The 20-year-old has made 19 appearances this season but has started only two Premier League matches since 1 September, with his status in the squad gradually falling as the season as developed, in part due to his poor form.

Brandon Williams is also expected to be able to leave before Tuesday’s transfer deadline, with the former Norwich loanee having seen just five minutes of action this season. Zidane Iqbal is the other member of the squad poised for a loan.

Ten Hag reveals Pellistri's future

But while this trio are set to depart, the popular Facundo Pellistri is not set to go anywhere.

“We have our ideas for some players we are open for loans but with some players they are not, because they are first, talented, they have to develop first in our environment. Second, we have many games to cover and we need players to cover that. When you play 10 games in 30 days you need a lot of players,” Ten Hag said.

“The way we put on Pellistri on Wednesday is already a signal.”