QPR have signed Ethan Laird on a season-long loan from Manchester United for 2022-23 campaign.
Laird has graduated through Man Utd’s youth academy since he joined aged nine years-old which led to two appearances in 2019-20 UEFA Europa League season.
The 21 year-old however has spent the last two seasons out on loan as he made 25 appearances for MK Dons in 2020-21 season, before managing 27 appearances in total across loan stints at Swansea City then Bournemouth.
Laird though was mainly utilised in midfield at Swansea rather than his preferred right-back position, of which he ultimately returned to following his loan switch to Bournemouth – who won promotion at end of last season.
“It feels brilliant and I am delighted to get it over the line,” commented Laird in an interview with qpr.co.uk about his move as he added that he “can’t wait to get started.”
QPR however had to fight off tough competition to secure Laird on a season-long loan as he admitted that “love and care,” was key to his decision to move to West London for this season.
Expanding on his reasons for his move to QPR, Laird added: “Winning changing rooms need to have a real care for the players and I feel like on the pitch you will get the best from your players if they know they are going to be cared for.
“Another thing I look for is creativity – and it is in abundance here!”
Laird will also be looking for regular game time in his traditional right-back role but has one target he wants to achieve at Loftus Road.
“I like to play with confidence and be exciting, and I feel I have the freedom to do that here,” explained Laird on his main personal target for the season.
Laird also proceeded to speak about the importance of this loan move in terms of pushing himself out of his “comfort zone” in order to develop his game after positive loan spells across the last two seasons.
The 21 year-old though is ready to explore his talent across a full Championship season with just one club – QPR – as he added: “You only find out what you are really like when you play football.
“Coming up against 6’5 players, coming up against beasts, you find ways to adapt and I feel like I have adapted well wherever I have gone and I am ready to kick on now.”
QPR manager, Michael Beale meanwhile is thankful to Man Utd for their willingness to let them sign Laird on loan. with the aim of progressing his development further.
On Laird’s performances in the second-tier last season, Beale commented: “He has done really well in the Championship already and I think he is someone we can be really excited about.”
Laird though had been with Utd’s first-team squad for pre-season which led QPR to hold “… a bit of patience to…” wait for him to become available, before completing the loan transfer
Beale therefore clarified why the club chose to wait and not look elsewhere as he explained: “It was important we waited for the right one who gives us a lot of options in terms of as a full-back, a wing-back and even higher up the pitch if needed.”
On how Laird will fit into QPR’s style of play under Beale, the ex Aston Villa assistant manager added: “I like the fullbacks to be an addition to our attack, and he provides that.
“He is very aggressive in terms of one-v-one attacking and he is capable of providing assists as well as goals.”
Laird could make his debut for QPR tomorrow (16 August) at home to Blackpool live on Sky Sports in a 8pm BST kick-off.