Manchester United Transfer News: Loaning Nick Powell to Wigan Would Be Wise Move

You're supposed to add midfielders, Manchester United, not get rid of them. An exception can be made for Nick Powell, though.

Adam Crafton of the Daily Mail reported Wigan Athletic is looking to bring in the 19-year-old central midfielder on a season-long loan:

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Manchester United had planned for the midfielder to break into the first-team this season but injury saw Powell miss the club’s first pre-season under David Moyes.

It is understood that the United manager - who is hoping to recruit two midfielders by Monday evening’s 11pm deadline - now sees Powell’s development as being best served with a spell away from the club - although the former Crewe star very much remains a central part of the long-term plans at Old Trafford.

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Wigan manager Owen Coyle has already publicly said he's a fan of the youngster (per Crafton):

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I am always loathe to talk about everybody else’s players. Everyone knows that me and David [Moyes] have a very good relationship. He [Powell] is a hugely talented player. If and when he becomes available, I would certainly love to bring a player of that calibre to the football club if it is possible.  He goes away with England under-21s I’m led to believe this week - somebody told me that.

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Had Powell been healthy for all of Manchester United's preseason, perhaps he'd be in a position to make an impact on the senior team. Heck, he'd have to be a better option than Anderson.

However, with his injury, he's been robbed of that opportunity. He hasn't gotten enough training to figure in the early part of the season for United.

Even if he had gotten a full preseason in, Powell still has to contend with Anderson, Ryan Giggs, Tom Cleverley and Michael Carrick for playing time at Old Trafford. With United fighting on multiple fronts, it's realistic that Powell could get 20-25 appearances for the senior team.

With a player this young, though, it's better to have him take a step down in club stature if it means playing more regularly. He's going to develop much more as a player than he would if he stays at United and only makes sporadic appearances.

It would be opportune for Powell to go to a Premier League club. That way he could get used to first-division football. With so little time left in the window, beggars can't be choosers. If there's a club that wants to loan him in, especially one in the Championship, that's as good as it'll get.

Let's not forget that Powell has played little football above League Two. Upon making the move from Crewe Alexandra in 2012/13, he's made six appearances in all competitions for United's senior team.

That's nowhere near enough experience to throw him into a club that will be competing for a league title.

Moving to Wigan will allow Powell to get to match fitness, play every week and improve without having to make such a huge jump in leagues.

Following through on this loan also gives Moyes a much better idea of what kind of player Powell is. So far, all the United manager has to go on is what he's seen in training so far and whatever video he'll have of the player from last season and his time with Crewe Alexandra.

That's not a lot for Moyes to accurately judge where Powell fits into his team.

The loan to Wigan allows a much better picture of the midfielder's talent and skill set. Then the manager can slot him into a midfield that has other great prospects in Jesse Lingard and Adnan Januzaj.

Although Manchester United would be helped by adding a midfielder instead of jettisoning one, loaning out Powell would be the right move for both parties.