Manchester United signed Ritchie de Laet in 2009, and he is expected to leave this summer.
Ritchie de Laet has is only 23 yet has spent time at eight different clubs during his brief career, and now surely it is time for him to find a permanent home.
Before being surprisingly snapped up by Manchester United three years ago, he was at Royal Antwerp, Stoke City and Wrexham on loan.
During his time at Old Trafford he has made just three first team appearances, and spent most of his time out on loan.
After spending most of his time on loan in the Championship, this season he secured a move to Premier League new boys Norwich.
He began the season in Norwich’s first team, giving away a penalty in their opening game, and scoring in the second.
He never really won over the fans though, and failed to win his place back in the side after suffering an injury, having his loan terminated in December.
Despite all the expected quotes from him about coming back to United to work hard and win a place, there is no sign of that happening, with even a place on the bench beyond him.
Now it is surely time for United to ship him out and allow him to start afresh.
United won’t get much in a way of a fee for him, but it is unlikely he will feature next season either and with squad places at a premium it makes more sense to allow him to leave.
Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson is keen on bringing him in, according to reports, and it may well be that De Laet has to step down to the Championship to find regular football.
If as expected United fail to win the league, it will accelerate Sir Alex Ferguson’s desire for a clearout, with Tomas Kusczak and Dimitart Berbatov among names who will certainly leave this summer.
De Laet’s departure is another which at this stage looks a matter of when and where, not if.
Are you happy for De Laet to leave or do you think United should keep him?
image: © smemon
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