Manchester United have rejected loan bids for Ireland international Robbie Brady. So what next for him?
Robbie Brady is like Manchester United’s secret weapon they are just waiting to unleash, but are waiting for the right time to do so.
That is seemingly the only interpretation for the club rejecting loan offers for him to go out and gain regular competitive playing time in the Championship.
Brady of course spent last season in the division, impressing with Hull City. Sky Sports yesterday reported that the trio of Wolves, Nottingham Forest and Burnley had all had offers turned down for the 20-year-old.
It indicates that the Irishman is in Sir Alex Ferguson’s thoughts for the months ahead, which is exciting news for fans of the club, and the player himself.
Brady was a late substitute in the League Cup win over Newcastle, but had little time to make an impression. An even tougher away tie to Chelsea in the next round is not what he would have wanted; a home game against a lower league team would have seen him with far more chance of getting a starting spot.
He was of course considered as a left-back option in pre-season, and remains an emergency possibility, but the signing of Alexander Buttner has made this unlikely in the short-term at least.
Which is probably good for Brady; if he is to get his chance, he will really want to be deployed in his natural left wing position.
As for who is first choice in the position now, no longer is it nailed down by Ryan Giggs as it has been for much of the past two decades. The Welshman plays more infield nowadays.
This has left Ashley Young, when fit, and Nani – when Valencia is on the right – competing for position, and neither have made the position their own. Nani even has been particularly poor on the left, saving the few good games he does have for the right.
So there may be an opening for Brady, if he can just get the opportunity, although Young’s imminent return to the first team means it won’t be just yet.
The other thing perhaps counting against Brady is United’s recent tactical switch, to a narrower formation, to accommodate Rooney, Van Persie, and Kagawa into the same system.
However the one consistent thing about Sir Alex Ferguson’s teams in his time at the club has been their wing play, so don’t expect to see it abandoned, United’s tactical are evolving and they will likely soon find a happy medium.
So when can Brady expect an opportunity?
Depending perhaps on how strong a side Ferguson anticipates Chelsea will field in the League Cup, United will not want to risk leaving themselves short, and Brady may have to settle for another place on the bench.
The competition is so strong at the moment that even a place in the Premier League 18-man matchday squads are tough for a young player trying to breakthrough to come by.
A fixture which stands out, is United’s final Champions League fixture, at home to Cluj. With two wins in the bag already, the Red Devils will certainly hope to have qualification wrapped up by then, and it will be the ideal chance for him to show what he can do, and for United to blood their young players.
All Brady has to do is keep himself injury-free and ready for the call, and if he is needed sooner, then even better.
After that in January Sir Alex Ferguson will be better placed to assess whether he can afford to let him go out on loan, but expect it to be to a Premier League side, rather than down to the Championship.
When will Brady get his opportunity? Are you surprised United didn’t let him go on loan?
image: © smemon
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