Manchester United youngster Ethan Laird has lifted the lid on what has been a "very easy" time so far during his loan spell at Queens Park Rangers.
Erik ten Hag raised some eyebrows when the decision was made for Laird to go on loan this season. Many saw the 21-year-old as the archetypal defender for the Dutchman, after the United manager showed how vital it was for his side to employ attacking full-backs during his time at Ajax.
The recent performances of Diogo Dalot have gone some way to justify Ten Hag's decision, as Laird continues to gain first-team experience for the Championship club. He spent time on loan at Swansea and Bournemouth last season.
The United loanee recently opened up on his time at QPR, as he discussed how quickly he has adapted to life under manager Michael Beale and how he's been able to impress the 42-year-old in a very short space of time.
Laird told the ‘R’ Generation on Air podcast: “It’s been very easy, I’m not gonna lie. One of the gaffer’s main things was to play with freedom, play the way you play. After a day of training he popped me straight in the team because he knew what he wanted from me, and all I had to do was play.
“As the games have gone on my role hasn’t changed but I’ve had a lot more stuff to do. For example the opposition might be playing with wing-backs and it’s about adapting to that. It’s been easy to fit in.
“He [Beale] believes that it’s a really important role, not only on the ball but off the ball because we might make a decoy run that allows our magical 10s to get in on the ball and score wonder goals.
“He’s very wary of how much we do, but we’re very enthusiastic full-backs both sides. As the game goes on if we’re in a two-nil or three-nil lead, he’ll tell us to calm down because we’ve got another game in the week!
“I’m far from the perfect player. So far away. I’m striving for that because I genuinely believe I can be one of the best and I’m gonna hold that until I get there.”
Source: m.allfootballapp.com