Manchester United have quite a few players on loan and some of those have showed good form and could have even showed enough talent and growth over this season to win a place in the first team. The main player who was sent on loan this year was Javier Hernandez who went to Real Madrid.
The Mexican has not been in the best form due to the lack of consistent games in the team as he has found himself on the bench for quite a lot of the games. The striker has struggled to get into the team due to the strength and class of their current attackers. With player like Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo, Hernandez has seen little success as even when he had some game time, he was in the shadows.
The 26-year-old scored the winner against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final in mid-week and he became an unexpected hero in a stalemate of a game. The fashion of the goal replicated what he provided at United as he pulled a goal out of nowhere late on in the game to bring a win to his club.
Other players that have impressed recently are Reece James, currently on loan at Huddersfield Town, and Jesse Lingard, on loan at Derby County. In the game from last weekend where both teams met, they both got on the score line of the 4-4 thriller.
James would make a good addition to the current Manchester United squad as the club is struggling to find a consistent left wing-back. The youngster has also shown that he is more than capable in the air as he had 100% accuracy in aerial battles. The current left back is Luke Shaw and in the game last weekend provided a good performance, finally showing what he is capable of, Shaw has not had consistency since he arrived at the club from Southampton on a big money buy and James has impressed at both his loan club and the performances he totaled up whilst at United.
Lingard has been in inspired form at Derby this season and it showed in his performance last weekend. With 73% of his passes meeting the player they were directed at, he might be able to add some needed movement in the United midfield if he returns. He can also play on the wing and this could be the reason why off-form Adnan Januzaj has been rumoured to be sent on loan next season. Lingard has proved that he is not just a midfielder who can just pass, he has shown attacking capabilities as he constantly creates chances and sometimes scores some as well.
United have struggled to find a striker in their team all season as they have had Radamel Falcao on loan who has not shown why he was given a contract with a wage bill of £350,000. The Colombian has been able to hold off the players in the premier league and keep hold of the ball but, he hasn’t been able to score enough goals to justify his wage. Robin van Persie has been injury prone this season and when he actually plays, he is lackluster. He hasn’t been able to create chances and often looks exhausted, standing still waiting for attacks to start. Wayne Rooney was pushed upfront for a few game before he was recently pushed back into midfield due to an injury crisis. Rooney proved that he is still a capable striker and is able to score goals but he is more suited to a midfielder’s role at the moment. James Wilson has been a bench striker this year, albeit he is a fan favourite as he shows a good attitude and some much needed pace in the attacks but, he has not been prioritised over the big money strikers this year.
Angelo Henriquez, currently on loan at Dinamo Zagreb, has had a brilliant season in 1.NHL. The 21-year-old has been in great form this year and possibly should be given a chance in the Manchester United team. He has played 20 games so far this season and 13 goals have come out of that. He also has a hand full of assists this year. His place is still unsecure but, with this current form, Van Gaal will have to at least think about it.
Tom Cleverley has been a good addition to the Aston Villa team since he arrived but, fans are still not convinced that he is United standard. Sir Alex Ferguson stuck with him for many years and brought him up in the previous United team but, he was inconsistent with form and was not able to do the job needed from him.