Ethan Laird will be looking for fourth time lucky as Manchester United pre-season chance comes around

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Ethan Laird is one of the young Manchester United players looking to make an impression on pre-season.

Fortunately the hardest challenge has already been overcome. Simply making it into the pre-season tour squad is a major checkpoint Laird will be relieved to have passed.

This summer is fourth time lucky for Laird. He finally has the opportunity he has been waiting for, and the young right-back will want to take it.

• In 2019, Laird was overlooked by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for the pre-season tour. Despite this, he made his Manchester United debut in the Europa League just four months later.
• In 2020, Laird did not play in Manchester United’s one pre-season match. A hamstring injury in the EFL Trophy meant he could not be considered.
• In 2021, Laird suffered an injury, which ruled him out of United’s entire pre-season. A loan move to Swansea City was arranged in August.
• Now in 2022, Laird has the opportunity he has been waiting for, to try and impress a manager in pre-season.

Ethan Laird is currently third in the pecking order at Manchester United at right-back. But with neither Diogo Dalot or Aaron Wan-Bissaka having a firm grip on the position, there is scope for Laird to move up the pecking order.

There’s no guarantee Laird will feature in the pre-season opener versus Liverpool. If Erik ten Hag gives Dalot and Wan-Bissaka 45 minutes each, then Laird will have to wait his turn.

With three further games upcoming against Crystal Palace, Melbourne Victory and Aston Villa, Laird will eventually get an opportunity to shine. Having missed out before, Laird will be even more motivated to make this opportunity count.

His pace and quality with the ball going forward makes him an exciting option. At only 20, Laird is the kind of player who Erik ten Hag and his coaching staff can mould, and turn into a really dynamic full-back.

Ten Hag will be assessing how Laird responds to his instructions, how he gels with his teammates, and how he reacts playing against top competition. With United needing inspiration at right-back, we hope he can impress.