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Talking Point: Go on loan or stay to learn at United?

Fletcher is on a long list of Reds who did the latter, after ascending the Academy ranks to make his senior debut at the end of 2002/03. He grasped his chance with both hands, too, and impressively made 35 appearances the next campaign.

The Scottish midfielder never looked back and went on to play 342 games across 13 seasons, before leaving for pastures new in 2015. While that was his route into the first team, he accepts that the loan system can also pay dividends for young players, just like it did for several of his former United team-mates.