Talking Point: Go on loan or stay to learn at United?

Manchester United legend Darren Fletcher says there are two schools of thought on how young prospects can make the step up to first-team football: go on loan to enhance their education, or stay to learn from the best and pounce on any chances that might come along.

Fletcher is on a long list of Reds who did the latter, after ascending the Academy ranks to make his senior debut at the end of 2002/03. He grasped his chance with both hands, too, and impressively made 35 appearances the next campaign.

The Scottish midfielder never looked back and went on to play 342 games across 13 seasons, before leaving for pastures new in 2015. While that was his route into the first team, he accepts that the loan system can also pay dividends for young players, just like it did for several of his former United team-mates.

The subject of Academy graduates going on loan or staying at Old Trafford is discussed in the second part of our Ole Gunnar Solskjaer exclusive, in which the manager admits he has some big decisions to make with the likes of Tahith Chong, James Garner, Angel Gomes and Mason Greenwood.

When speaking to us last week at the club’s annual awards night, Fletcher analysed the merits of both options from his experience.

“It is not something I did, but a lot players at Manchester United all went to Royal Antwerp in Belgium,” Darren explained to us. “When they were young they went out on loan and came back as men, and they went when they were really young. Players like Sheasy [John O’Shea] and Jonny [Evans]. They came back as men and they came back used to men's football. They were ready for it.

“That used to be a fantastic opportunity. It is important but it has got to be the right club. At the same time, Manchester United is different. Sometimes you are prepared at Manchester United to play in the first team and that is the way it always was. There are two schools of thought on that.

“Once you get to a certain age, once you get to 19 or 20, you have got to start looking to get some first-team experience, or go out on loan because you can come back ready and a better player.”

Promoting from within has always been important at United and Solskjaer has shown he is more than willing to blood our next generation. The boss has already given three Academy graduates their first-team debuts and our front six in the final match of the season all graduated from the Academy.

Fletcher feels that clear route into the senior team will convince the best young players in the world to join United, instead of rival clubs who show little or no interest in developing homegrown heroes.

“Without a doubt it is part of the club's history, going back to the Busby Babes and then Alex Ferguson tied into it,” said Fletch. “It is what we were brought up on. Manchester United was the biggest club in the world, but the reason I joined was that I knew I was going to get an opportunity.

“Ole has a chance to bring young players into the squad, which sends a message to young players throughout the country and the most talented kids in the world that if you come to Manchester United then he will give you an opportunity in the first team. That will attract more players.”