Tunnicliffe, Drinkwater & Wootton Return: Loan Watch

How's this United youngster faring at Posh?

During the wretched international break three loan stars returned to Carrington to train with the first team. Ryan Tunnicliffe and Scott Wootton rejoined from Peterborough while Danny Drinkwater traveled down from Barnsley to join up with the seniors for a period as the United staff could have a look at their progress in close quarters in training, while it was also an opportunity for the lads to share their differing experiences so far.

It was a bit of a disappointing week when domestic football returned for the loan players as not one of our seven loanees managed to start for their respective clubs.

Tunnicliffe played the last 11 and Wootton failed to make the bench as P’Boro drew with Birmingham at St Andrew’s. The energetic midfielder was brought on as both sides went looking for the winner and the home side nearly snatched it when Nikola Zigic raced through on goal, only to be stopped in his tracks by an offside flag.

Brady came on for the last 27 minutes as Hull beat Derby County and did his utmost to prove why he should be back in the side after missing out of the starting eleven for only the third game this season. The young Irishman showed what he was capable of when he forced Frank Fielding into action with a well-struck drive but this was to be his only notable effort from the game.

Sam Johnstone who has just extended his loan deal at Scunthorpe until 10th December couldn’t displace his namesake Sam Slocombe from the goal in their 2-0 loss to Hartlepool. Slocombe also got the no over Johnstone in their shock 1-0 loss to AFC Wimbledon in their FA Cup first round replay. Oliver Norwood managed a 12-minute run-out in their league game against Hartlepool and did manage the last eight minutes of the FA Cup tie as the hosts chased an equaliser but made no real impact.

Joshua King failed to make the 18-man squad for Borrusia M’gladbach and his absence clearly wasn’t felt as his side ran out 5-0 winners over Werder Bremen to go level with second-placed Borrusia Dortmund in the Bundesliga.

While Ritchie De Laet suffered a similar fate as he did not make the substitute’s bench for the Canaries 2-1 loss to Arsenal at Carrow Road. De Laet may stand a chance of getting back into the Norwich side after Marc Tierney was torn inside-out by Theo Walcott all afternoon and was left on his backside for the Gunner’s opener.

Danny Drinkwater was suspended for Barnsley’s 2-0 win over Doncaster.

There has also been talk of 20-year-old Kiko Macheda moving out on loan to Premier League strugglers Wigan in January and if the deal goes through will look to benefit from the experience as much as Tom Cleverley did last term. Keep your eyes on Loan Watch for further developments on this and any other deals.

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