For the first time in years, Manchester United’s use of the loan system is working, and Jonny Evans should be looking to find multiple others a loan move in January.
Manchester United’s outgoing loan list for the 2025/26 campaign includes some of the biggest names at the club, but also some very talented youngsters.
This season has seen Harry Amass starring on loan for Sheffield Wednesday, even scoring a wonderful goal in his last appearance, as the fans are thrilled with him.
Radek Vitek is also impressing at Bristol City, which has led to him being considered as an option to rival Senne Lammens for minutes next season.
But who should be joining these two on loan in January? There are nine candidates.
Gabriele Biancheri
One young player who is ready to play professional football is Wales’ Gabriele Biancheri, with the young goal machine showcasing over the past 18 months and longer how good he is.
Biancheri has impressed for United’s U21 side this season, and his lethal finishing, movement, and footballing intelligence all make him a potential top-tier striker.
But with United playing once a week, he looks unlikely to get the chance this season, and so a loan should absolutely go through in January. Sheffield Wednesday has an interest in Biancheri, where he could join Amass and get plenty of minutes.
Jack Fletcher
Like Biancheri, first-team football for Jack Fletcher is long overdue, and so finding him the perfect loan in January should be paramount for Jonny Evans.
Jack Fletcher could be playing in the Championship or high in League One right now, and it would be much more beneficial than being in the academy for United, unless Ruben Amorim has plans to use him.
Amorim is a fan of Fletcher, but a successful loan might be what is needed to see him reach the next stage in his career.
Tyler Fletcher
Like his brother, Tyler Fletcher has learned all that he can in youth football and now needs to be challenged playing against professionals every week in order to continue growing.
Fletcher could benefit from playing in a side who are on the back foot consistently, to develop physically and evolve as a defensive midfielder, with his on-ball quality his standout trait.
Chido Obi
This time last year, there was talk of Chido Obi breaking United’s youngest goalscorer record, but one year on, and he is firmly back in the U21s, learning additional aspects of being a striker besides goals.
Obi has impressed for the U21s this season, with his hold-up play and link-up improving all the time and scoring consistently against first-team opponents.
Due to this, now Obi should be looking to find a loan to really test himself and return in the summer, undeniable to challenge Benjamin Sesko for the striker position.
James Scanlon
Despite being the shining light of the United U18 side last season, James Scanlon hasn’t taken to U21 football as smoothly as he would have wanted.
However, Scanlon is expected to be on the loan list at United, having seen a move to Scotland fail to transpire in the summer.
The 19-year-old needs more challenge to evolve, and a loan to a League Two side or to Scotland should be greatly considered.
Diego Leon
Signed by United in the summer and immediately involved with the first-team, Diego Leon has since taken a step back to develop, but it is becoming clear that he is too good for academy football.
Leon should be at Lausanne or Nice, with regular minutes to be ready for United in 2026, as he is good enough to play for both.
Leon just needs games to develop, as he already has the raw qualities that are needed to be a top Premier League player, just the final boxes to tick.
Jayce Fitzgerald
In midfield, Jayce Fitzgerald is a player who goes completely under the radar, yet his consistency is incredible, which could see him ready to make an impact for a professional club in the EFL.
Fitzgerald could run a midfield as high as lower Championship sides right now, and he deserves this chance with first-team involvement unlikely for him this season.
Sam Mather
Sam Mather was supposed to be sold by United, but a deal fell through, and now he has spent the season playing extremely limited games but training with the first team often.
United should find Mather a loan abroad in January, as his game suits European football, and he could really benefit from this.
Jacob Devaney
The final name on the list is arguably one of the players most equipped to immediately step into senior football: Jacob Devaney.
The midfielder has been excellent this season and impressed against Notts County in the EFL Trophy.
Devaney has been improving rapidly this season, even catching the eye against the star-studded England U21 side last week for Ireland.
Now, a loan is needed for League One or possibly even Sheffield Wednesday to allow Devaney to develop to a point that Ruben Amorim can consider him.
Honourable mentions
Sekou Kone is probably set to head on loan, but he doesn’t make the list for us because, without injury, he might already be in Amorim’s plans, having impressed during the post-season tour last June.
Ayden Heaven is another likely to be considered for a loan; however, he is more than good enough to be playing for the Red Devils right now.
Shea Lacey should also be on the list, but only if Amorim doesn’t use him. United knows Lacey is first-team ready and that should be at United or elsewhere in January.
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