Two Man Utd starlets expected to leave on January loans

Manchester United are trying to arrange loan moves for two young players before the end of the January transfer window.

Aidan Barlow and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson were both recalled from loans this month, with the club eager for them to find new destinations for the remainder of the season.

Barlow, 20, spent the first half of the season at Norwegian club Tromso - where he scored two goals in seven appearances - though MEN Sport understands United are eager for the midfielder to experience English league football on a five-month loan spell.

Borthwick-Jackson is a familiar name to many United fans after his run in the first team under Louis van Gaal in 2015/16 - when he made 14 senior appearances.

But the 22-year-old left-back has endured a tough time since then, with loans to Wolves, Leeds, Scunthorpe and most recently Tranmere not working out as planned. Although his United contract is due to expire in the summer, the club want him to go back on loan if the right opportunity comes up.

Barlow, a former England Under-18 and Under-17 international, has starred in youth football for United, but the club are keen for him to gain hardened experience down the leagues.

United have already recalled Ethan Hamilton this month from a loan spell with Southend, before sending the youngster back out on loan to Bolton Wanderers.

Right-back Ethan Laird and forward Largie Ramazani are pushing for promotion to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first-team squad from the Under-23s following the departure of Ashley Young to Inter Milan and with Marcus Rashford sidelined with injury for up to two months.

United head of first team development Nicky Butt gave MEN Sport his verdict on loan moves for the club's under 23 players.

He said: "It's our belief to keep the numbers down [in the youth setup] and players just 'play, play, play'. If you're out playing a lot, you learn.

"You can't keep people in a comfort zone for too long. Together with the loan strategy we're putting together, we're making sure we're not just about winning in the youth teams."