3 Manchester United Loanees Who Should Feature In The First Team Next Season

Manchester United seem to be settling down under Jose Mourinho and are now confident of finishing 2nd in the Premier League. They have beaten Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Arsenal in the last 2 months and but for the occasional slip-up, they are starting to perform like a Manchester United team ought to.

With the end of the season fast approaching, plans for the transfer market are already being laid out. Some of Manchester United's exciting youngsters were loaned out in order to get more action than they would have if they had stayed at Old Trafford and they'll soon return to claim a spot in the squad.

On that note, let's take a look at 3 Manchester United loanees who have proved themselves over the course of the season.

#3 Timothy Fosu-Mensah

Fosu-Mensah can be a quality replacement for Antonio Valencia

Fosu Mensah took his time to ease into his groove at Selhurst Park but once he did, he was their standout performer in defence. He has featured 21 times for Palace and only 4 of them have come off the bench.

His impressive showings for Roy Hodgson's side earned him a call up to the Dutch national team. The best thing about Fosu Mensah, as far as United are concerned, is that he has been deployed and has been effective as a right back.

Manchester United don't really have a quality alternative for captain Antonio Valencia at right back and Fosu-Mensah's return is much awaited at Old Trafford. Though the Dutchman needs to improve his passing and needs to get better at using his frame in aerial duels, the youngster is strong on the tackle and has the legs to catch up with the fastest in the league.

#2 Axel Tuanzebe

Tuanzebe plays as a fullback for Aston Villa

Axel Tuanzebe started his first senior game for Manchester United in Louis van Gaal's last season where he kept rotating his backline. But United have signed Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof since and Tuanzebe had to go on loan to get more game time.

Tuanzebe, originally a fullback, can also fill in at centreback and United can use his athleticism at the back. Given that Valencia probably only has 2 more seasons at the very top remaining before he starts fading due to age, Tuanzebe could very well start featuring for United on a regular basis from next season on in the cup games.

Tuanzebe loves a tackle and is also very effective in aerial duels. He is also a good passer of the ball but needs to be more composed on the ball. But once he comes back from Aston Villa and finds himself among his peers at United, he will definitely improve and that is good news for Manchester United.

#1 Andreas Pereira

Jose Mourinho was not very pleased with Andreas Pereira's decision to go out on loan to Valencia. But he showed his quality for Valencia and played quite a hand in helping them cement a spot in the top 4 in La Liga.

In a Valencia side that is buoyed by the fire of youth and the calmness of experience, Andreas Pereira was a constant feature. He played in every single one of their first 18 matches of the season and was unlucky to have sustained a hamstring injury which ruled him out for 2 months.

Pereira's return is highly anticipated at Manchester United. Of all his qualities, it's the Brazilian's versatility that sets him apart. He can play down either flank and can also prove to be just as effective in the centre of the park.

Pereira possesses quick feet and loves to run at defenders and enjoys getting the better of them with his trickery. His crossing is top notch and United, who have not had a proper right winger for almost half a decade, will definitely be excited by the prospect of his return.

The Brazilian also has a great shot and is always willing to test the goalkeeper from range. He has also affirmed that he has his heart set on returning to Manchester United. Let's just hope that Jose Mourinho will be ready to welcome him with open arms.

Edited by Zeeshan Ali