Man Utd prospect James Garner joins Watford on loan

Manchester United have allowed highly rated midfield prospect James Garner to join Watford on loan for the 2020-21 season.

Garner, 19, is among United’s most promising young players and heads to Vicarage Road in search of greater exposure to first-team football.

A technical midfielder who can play in deep-lying or advanced roles, Garner made his debut for the United senior side in February 2019 and featured six times – including three Europa League starts – last term.

Garner has long been earmarked as a potential first-team player for United, with boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer speaking glowingly of him on several occasions.

A regular at various youth levels for England, including captaining their Under-17s, Garner also skippered United’s Under-23s in 2020-21 and was recently named their Player of the Year.

Although Watford – relegated to the Championship in July – lost Abdoulaye Doucoure during pre-season, Garner joins a club stacked with experienced midfield options, including Etienne Capoue, Nathaniel Chalobah, Tom Cleverley, Will Hughes and Roberto Pereyra.