5 Players Manchester United Should Send out on Loan

Temporary loan spells away from Manchester United can be invaluable for youngsters not yet in the first-team picture.

In his formative years, now-club legend David Beckham spent an impressive, if brief time at lower league side Preston North End, whilst only recently did Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck have fruitful spells at Wigan Athletic and Sunderland respectively.

With a squad as deep as United's, there are always going to be players on the fringe who must make do with reserve-team football.

Here are five such prodigies who would benefit from a few months' playing elsewhere, in the quest to further develop their footballing education.

Davide Petrucci

Italian attacking midfielder Davide Petrucci has seemed poised to take the next step in his career for quite a while now.

But cruel injuries at inopportune times have perhaps slowed his development in the past and prevented United from considering a possible loan spell away from Old Trafford.

With Petrucci now fighting fit, a temporary move to a team in the Championship would probably be the best option.

His trickery and blistering shot is sure to prove useful to what would be a long queue of possible suitors.

Federico Macheda

The increasingly unfortunate tale of Federico Macheda is in desperate need of a twist before it descends into "what could have been" territory.

Since bursting onto the scene with a rasping debut goal over two years ago, the Italian striker has struggled for first-team action.

He had a nightmare spell at Sampdoria in 2011, and an even worse one at QPR last season.

I would suggest a temporary move to a Championship club. It would keep him playing British football, and also guarantee him more playing time.

Bebe

Having quickly developed the reputation of a lumbering oaf, Bebe would be lucky to get any playing time in the United first team this season.

In fact, he only really makes this list because I'm sure Sir Alex Ferguson would jump at the opportunity to dispose of a player who only serves to remind him of one of his worst transfer faux pas.

Where could United send him? To any club that would take him, surely?

I'm afraid it would take blind optimism to suggest he has any real future at Old Trafford, but a fan can hope.

Marnick Vermijl

Belgian prodigy Marnick Vermijl was one of United's most impressive youngsters in his recent first-team debut against Newcastle in the Capital One Cup.

Capable of playing at both centre-back and full-back, marking the versatile Vermijl proved a difficult task for several Magpies, as he tore up and down the right flank.

I would suggest a possible loan move down a league, or back to Belgium to play for feeder club Royal Antwerp.

When he does return, he should surely challenge Rafael for a place in the first XI.

Robbie Brady

Having been capped for the Republic of Ireland national team for the first time last month, Robbie Brady is in desperate need of first-team football to maintain his momentum.

He even managed to find the net on his international debut—an impressive feat despite his opposition being international football's powerhouse, Oman.

The winger had a blinding loan spell at Hull City in the Championship last season—a regular attacking threat over the course of an up-and-down season for the Tigers.

I'm sure new boss Steve Bruce would take him back to the KC Stadium in a heartbeat.

Which United fringe players do you think are in need of a loan move away from Old Trafford?