Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed promising young defender Jonathan Spector will join Blackburn Rovers on loan for the rest of the season.
The 18-year-old American made his Premiership debut against Rovers in August, but opportunities have been limited since due to the arrival of Gabriel Heinze.
Spector did feature as a second-half substitute during the recent Champions League encounter with Fenerbahce in Istanbul, but Ferguson revealed his intention to let the former Chicago Sockers player further his footballing education away from Old Trafford.
Interest
United old boy and current Rovers boss Mark Hughes was quick to express an interest in the left-footed Spector, who was also called up to the USA national squad for the first time in November.
"Hopefully it will provide Jonathan with the chance to play first team football and he will benefit from that more than he would playing for our reserves," Ferguson told MUTV.
"It is a fantastic move for him and we are sure he will come back a far better player.
"We feel Jonathan has an outstanding chance of becoming a first team player with Manchester United and this move will allow him to accelerate that development."
Good move for United and Spector? have your say
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This is a fantastic move for the player. I do think that loans to other PL clubs are a better option (where possible) than the lower divisions. Look forward to seeing him making a name for himself under Sparky.
I think that this is a good move.... he looks like a great player and with a little more experience, he could break into the first team. Would love to see Brown, Rio, Heinze and Spector.
It would also be great to see less criticism on here about the Man U youth system. The Beckham era is not likely to be repeated, but there are and have been loads of good youngsters coming through. Don't forget that many get sold for relatively small amounts of money when they don't make the grade, this easily finances the set up. Think of a team of Steele, O'shea, Brown, Spector, Pique, Fletcher, Richardson, Eagles, Rossi...... all good and all through the youth system. (I know not necessarily from the ages of 10) There is plenty of talent at United throughout all of the teams, the only question remains whether the players we have can compete with Keano and Giggs (Dj-Dj, Kleb, Miller etc.) they need to be given a chance and then if they don't make it sold.
I think he will get to the first XI
at blackburn. Spector is the only player who can make it as a world class defender! forget the rest... they are useless... richardson is a talent (3yrs ago he was a talent too. amazing).
I think its a great move for him, he needs first team football to progress, he has performed fantastic when he has been drafted in, Good luck to him.
A very merry Christmas to one and all.
Is he really leftfooted?
Excellent news provided he gets first team experience. Would Sparky or Robbo like any other of our youngsters and might-never-will-be's. The chance to prove themselves in the premiership but away from the very high demands of United is just what they need - Miller, Djemba Djemba, Kleberson, Bellion, Richardson, Eagles - any takers? Please.
Happy Holidays to all
http://img141.exs.cx/img141/5743/gate24cx.jpg
I am very impressed with this young American player. I am sure that he will do very well at Blackburn.
It's a great move. I hope he's able to get some 1st team experience. It's an added plus that there is another yank around, too (Brad Freidel) to help show him what it takes to be a world class professional playing overseas. Brad's had some rough spell after an impressive 2003 season but he's still class.
No he's not left-footed. He is two-footed with his right being marginally the stronger. I'm sure he'll benefit from the experience and Rovers will also benefit form him being in their team. A good deal for all.
Can we loan Ronaldo out too.
As long as he wastes every
posession he's involved with we cannot win a thing.
Loan him too Chelsea and let's see how long they stay top. United are so inconsistant
with this circus ask pretender.
Did no one ever teach him that
the team comes first?
No, I don't think so...
Up the Reds
The faster we can get Spector into the first team side, the faster we can move Silvestre and let Heinze play in the middle.
I take it you will be going to the game versus Villa,incidently Bellion should be playing in the first team along with Spector SYLVESTER and O,shea should be offloaded.
it is a good move to let spector go to blackburn he will learn a lot their the games i saw him play looks like he will fit in down the road . barry are you sure you dont live in harper valley . ronaldo is one of the best wait for another 2 or 3 years and you will eat your words .