Manchester United will be looking to loan out young players this summer as Ruben Amorim considers the next step for talented prospects.
Not everybody in the Manchester United ranks can go straight from developmental football into the first team.
Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo made that step up look easy when they broke through at Old Trafford, but others need loan moves.
Radek Vitek has earned praise after returning from Blau-Weiss Linz, while the likes of Ethan Ennis, Joe Hugill, Ethan Williams and Sam Mather also headed off on loan last season.
Dan Gore is attracting more loan interest from Rotherham United and one more United prospect appears to be nearing a temporary switch.
Manchester United's Sonny Aljofree in training.
Photo by Charlotte Tattersall – MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images
Sonny Aljofree in Notts County talks
United defender Sonny Aljofree has now been out on loan three times.
The 20-year-old centre-back enjoyed two spells with Altrincham in 2023 and 2024, before heading to League Two with Accrington Stanley.
Aljofree caught the eye for Accrington, as he recorded three goals in 25 League Two games last season.
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Now back with United for pre-season, Aljofree could be heading for another loan move in the coming days.
The Mirror’s Dan Marsh claims that Aljofree is in talks over a potential loan move to League Two side Notts County.
United may believe that Aljofree needs more League Two action, but a move to Notts County would be slightly different to his time with Accrington.
Stanley were battling against relegation last season, whereas Notts County secured a play-off place in League Two.
New boss Martin Paterson will be looking to launch another promotion push, and playing in a winning side could be beneficial to Aljofree’s development.
Erik ten Hag considered first-team chance for Aljofree
Aljofree comes from a footballing family, as father Hasney – a former United youth coach – racked up the appearances for Plymouth Argyle in his playing career.
The United talent qualifies to play for Singapore and may push towards international recognition with more first-team football this season.
United will hope for more development from Aljofree, especially having been considered for a first-team chance in the past.
Erik ten Hag wanted to promote Aljofree to the bench at senior level in 2024, and even considered starting him against Liverpool in the FA Cup.
An injury crisis at the back had opened up a potential chance, but the terms of Aljofree’s joint registration loan at Altrincham blocked that idea.
Aljofree could play for United’s Under-21s alongside Altrincham, but first-team chances were not permitted.
Willy Kambwala stepped up instead, with Aljofree missing out on a first-team opportunity at Old Trafford.
Over a year on, Aljofree could head back to League Two as his aim of reaching the United first team continues.