Manchester United full-back Ethan Laird set to join Watford on loan

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Manchester United academy graduate Ethan Laird is set to join Championship side Watford on a season-long loan.

The MEN report that the 20-year-old is expected to make the move to the Hornets once United’s pre-season schedule concludes with the visit of Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford today.

The move to Vicarage Road would be the right-back’s fourth loan move away from United and his third at a Championship club.

After starting last season on loan at Swansea City, under Russell Martin, who he played under the season prior at League One side MK Dons, Laird was recalled from his loan spell at the Liberty Stadium and joined promotion-chasing Bournemouth for the remainder of the campaign in January.

Ethan Laird set to join Watford on loan

After being a regular at Swansea, the attack-minded full-back struggled to establish himself with Scott Parker’s Cherries.

Laird moved to the Vitality Stadium having picked up an injury with Swansea in December and he suffered setbacks in his recovery.

Laird was part of the Bournemouth side that secured automatic promotion back to the Premier League, but he only made four starts for the Dorset-based side. Whereas at Swansea he started 18 times.

United’s number 41 has featured twice under Erik ten Hag during pre-season but the former Ajax manager has seemingly sanctioned Laird’s loan departure.

Similar to his time with Bournemouth, Laird will be joining a side that will be gunning for promotion.

The youngster will be hoping to establish himself as a regular in Rob Edwards’ side. Watford kick off their Championship campaign by welcoming Sheffield United to Vicarage Road tomorrow night.

James Garner was the last Manchester United player to join the Hornets on loan and the midfielder made 21 appearances for the Hornets before being recalled and then joining Nottingham Forest.

Laird’s contract at Manchester United expires next summer and he’s made two first-team appearances for the Red Devils, both of which came in 2019 via the Europa League.