Manchester United youngster Ethan Galbraith looks set to experience relegation during his season-long loan at Doncaster Rovers.
Gary McSheffrey’s side lost 5-0 against League One leaders Rotherham United, in front of their home fans, last night.
With 17 league games to play, Doncaster sit bottom of the third tier in English football and 11 points off safety.
Galbraith came on at half-time in last night’s drubbing when the Keepmoat Stadium side were trailing 2-0, but he couldn’t inspire a turnaround.
However, his performance was praised by the local newspaper Doncaster Free Press.
They gave the 20-year-old a 6/10 for his performance and the report stated: “Came on at the break and made a difference for Rovers with better composure on the ball than others had shown.
“More competitive than most in the physical stakes.”
On a personal level, the Northern Ireland international has certainly benefited from getting regular first team action at senior level, in his first loan move away from Manchester United.
The midfielder has made 29 appearances for the South Yorkshire side, 26 of which have been starts.
But things could have played out differently for Galbraith during the second half of the campaign.
A number of teams from the second and third tiers had expressed an interest in signing the Manchester United academy graduate last month, according to BBC Sport.
Although United had the option to recall the midfielder midway through his season-long loan spell if they wished, the Reds were seemingly happy with the volume of minutes Galbraith has received and opted against triggering that clause.
But with the two-time Northern Ireland international likely to be playing in a side that has been relegated to League Two come the end of the season, Galbraith will be looking to follow in the footsteps of his United academy teammates.
Ethan Laird spent the second half of last season on loan at MK Dons and he has joined a Bournemouth side fighting for Premier League competition.
Di’Shon Bernard spent time on loan at League Two side Salford City last season and he has been a first team regular for Championship outfit Hull City in this campaign.
Alongside Bernard and Laird, Galbraith made his Manchester United debut in Astana back in November 2019.
As disheartening as it will be playing in a side that has been relegated, Galbraith’s loan and experiences at League One level could see him make the jump up to the Championship next season.
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