Manchester United have 18 loanees at other clubs this season, with the potential for more in January, but the club’s Head of Player Development, Travis Binnion, has particularly high hopes for two.
The objective of every loan is not to get the player ready for the first team at Man Utd, obviously, as the likes of Andre Onana, Marcus Rashford, and Jadon Sancho just needed to come off the wage bill.
However, among the youngsters, the dream scenario remains that they will shine on loan and come back to Old Trafford more ready to be first-team players.
Travis Binnion, who closely monitors this progress along with loan manager Jonny Evans, has now named two players he thinks are the most ready for a first-team role next season.
Harry Amass of Sheffield Wednesday is challenged by Casper De Norre of Millwall (left) and Tristan Crama of Millwall (right) during the Sky Bet Championship match between Millwall and Sheffield Wednesday at The Den on November 26, 2025
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Travis Binnion has high hopes for Radek Vitek and Harry Amass
Most of the players Man Utd have sent on loan are pretty far from United’s level, barring a jump in next year’s pre-season that nobody sees coming.
The same can’t be said for Harry Amass and Radek Vitek, who, as Championship loanees, are already on the cusp of becoming Premier League players.
Amass has shone for a struggling Sheffield Wednesday side, while Radek Vitek is a bona fide fan favourite in Bristol City’s promotion charge.
WHICH Manchester United loanee have you been most impressed by this season and why?🔥⚽️
Split image of Marcus Rashford in Barcelona jacket looking to the side and Harry Amass in Sheffield Wednesday kit looking to the side.
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Naturally, impressing at the second division level is the final frontier for United loanees before the Premier League beckons, and Binnion thinks that Premier League experience might be at Old Trafford next season.
Speaking on the club’s official Inside Carrington podcast, Binnion said, “We’ve got a lot of good players out of the building at the minute, we have to continue to support. It’s massive because there’s an opportunity for them to return and return in a better place.
“They’re the oldest players in our care. In coming back and returning to play for the first team, they are probably the most capable due to their age and the experiences they’ve had.”
Ruben Amorim must reward top loanees
Binnion says in the same interview that he is constantly in touch with Ruben Amorim, Jason Wilcox, and other first-team figures to keep them updated on the youngsters’ progress.
This season hasn’t been the greatest endorsement of Amorim’s trust in youth players, and that needs to change next season.
Does Ruben Amorim need to improve his use of the academy?⭐️
Ruben Amorim in Manchester United attire during loss to Everton.
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With just one competition until January this season, Amorim is somewhat justified in not rolling the dice on youngsters when even fringe senior players aren’t getting minutes.
However, this needs to change if (when) United are back in Europe, because the club’s crop of youngsters is genuinely impressive, stretching beyond Amass and Vitek.
Those two players in particular are deserving of a chance next season to force their way into the first-team setup, because they’ve gone through the grind of loan football.
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