Five Manchester United players who should be sent on loan

Which youngsters will follow the paths of Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley by enjoying loans away from Manchester United with a view to making the first team?

Loan deals often provide the youngsters a chance to gain some valuable experience and playing time.

Manchester United have several players that need some first-team and regular football action so that they could truly realize their potential and transform into future Old Trafford legends.

1) Federico Macheda

Federico Macheda was once seen as one of the most talented young players at Old Trafford. However, abysmal loan-stints and constant injury problems have dampened the 20-year-old’s once-bright future.

Nonetheless, I still believe that Macheda has the required talents to flourish at Old Trafford and see him getting sent on loan to a relatively weak team where he play week-in-week-out and shows his true potential.

2) Tom Thorpe

Tom Thorpe is a promising young defender and the captain of Red Devils’ reserve team. The England U-19 international had decent 2011-12 season and is often touted by many to replace Rio Ferdinand in United’s first team.

Even though the comparisons can be labelled as bold at the present moment, Thorpe is without doubt an immensely talented player who can vastly improve with a possible season-long loan to a lower division side.

3) Ryan Tunnicliffe

Ryan Tunnicliffe plays a central midfielder who has a great future at Old Trafford. The youngster is often considered the ‘next Roy Keane’ and has been impressive in United’s two pre-season games so far.

With first-team chances still looking bleak due to lack of experience, one could surely expect Tunnicliffe being sent on loan this term.

4) Davide Petrucci

Another promising young midfielder coming up through United’s reserve team is Davide Petrucci.

The 20-year-old possesses all the attributes that a young midfielder could dream of- great passing skills, tremendous vision, quick feet and a high work rate.

However, as impressive as he looks, I still feel that he won’t be able to break into the first-team this season and a loan deals looks more likely.

5) Michael Keane

Michael Keane is the twin brother of Will Keane, who is set to be a part of United’s first team when he recovers from his long-term injury.

Even though Michael is not considered as ‘good’ as his brother, the central defender is still a very strong, intelligent and confident player with terrific future.

A loan deal at this point of his career could come out to be very crucial for this lad as he looks certainly good enough to play in the Premier League in a few seasons time.

Who do you believe should go on loan?