Manchester United loan talent James Scanlon has been out of the team for Swindon lately, prompting manager Ian Holloway to issue him a gauntlet.
After completing a loan in January to Swindon, James Scanlon got off to a strong start in a League Two side battling for promotion, and it looked like Manchester United had gotten the loan spot on.
This continued, with Scanlon scoring his first professional goal against Oldham Athletic in February. However, it has since failed to continue in this manner.
Now, his manager on loan has spoken out over his lack of minutes, explaining why this has happened.
James Scanlon dribbling in black Manchester United kit.
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James Scanlon is preparing to face Lincoln.
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Ian Holloway criticises James Scanlon
Scanlon’s absence has been a baffling situation, but now, as quoted by the Daily Mail, Ian Holloway has shed light on the situation, rather harshly.
“We haven’t won, and we didn’t play well, so he’s come out,” said the 63-year-old.
“He has to show me why he’s here, which is the stuff that he’s got in his locker. And is he too young? Who knows? I have no idea. But I’m not seeing what I want to see from him in a way that I want to.
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“The last two days I’ve told him this, and he’s looked a lot better. It’s his first-ever sojourn out into the real world of football from the nightmare of a situation where the Under-23s and Under-21s games don’t matter.”
These are words that feel unfair on Scanlon, who didn’t get a proper run or opportunity to settle in before being dashed out of the team by Holloway, and now publicly slammed.
Scanlon will get some solace away from Swindon, as he heads on international duty with Gibraltar.
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Loan struggles is an issue Manchester United need to address
What is quite damning for Scanlon and academy football in general is the mention from Holloway that academy football is a nightmare.
In some ways, he is correct regarding this point, with under-21 sides playing in a league with very few fans in attendance, a lesser intensity and very little stakes outside of the league table.
This means it can often be a massive jump for players when they move on loan to a professional side, struggling with the pressure, volatile crowds and the physicality.
United aren’t the only club who face these problems, with the format of the Premier League 2 being a key factor that the club need to consider and come up with a more useful league.
Scanlon won’t be the last to struggle, but this hardship will benefit him in a future loan as we usually see improvements in subsequent loans.
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