Manchester United continue to take advantage of the loan market to accelerate the development of their next generation of young stars.
The Red Devils cannot afford to give all their promising academy players game time in a bloated squad and loan moves allow the youngsters the chance to shine on the first-team stage.
Ralf Rangnick has already sanctioned the temporary exit of Teden Mengi to Birmingham City, while Ethan Laird swapped Swansea City for high-flying Bournmoeuth and Axel Tuanzebe will spend the rest of the season at Napoli.
And Mirror Football understands Ivorian teen Amad could join Mengi in the Midlands this month after limited opportunities this season.
Here, we look back at five of the most successful loan spells from stars who departed Old Trafford.
David Beckham
A five-game spell at Preston North End is often forgotten when reflecting on David Beckham's trophy-laden United career.
The 'Class of 92' graduate swapped the bright lights of Old Trafford for Deepdale aged 19 under the advice of father-figure boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
Beckham had already netted for the Red Devils in the Champions League but was sent down the divisions for more regular first-team football.
And after a month-loan period that included a direct goal from a corner on debut, Ferguson had seen enough.
He was ready to become a star on the global stage.
Dean Henderson
Dean Henderson spent a season at Shrewsbury but it was two years in South Yorkshire with Sheffield United where he truly announced himself as a top goalkeeper.
The England shot-stopper played a key role in the Blades' promotion to the top flight and was arguably the Premier League's form goalkeeper as Chris Wilder's men incredibly finished eighth the following season.
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Henderson looked to have usurped David de Gea for the United number one spot for a brief period last term after returning to Old Trafford.
But he is now firmly behind the Spaniard in the pecking order after a bout of Covid halted his progress.
Perhaps the 24-year-old hopes to use the loan system once again this month to get some valuable game time for the rest of the campaign.
Jesse Lingard
Jesse Lingard has used the loan system to full effect in his career.
The England international's patience in getting his United chance took him to Leicester, Birmingham, Brighton and Derby before he finally starred at Old Trafford.
But one of the most standout loan spells in recent memory was Lingard's fleeting brilliance at West Ham.
Lingard was left out in the cold by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last January and was allowed to move to East London for the final four months of the season.
His impact was stellar, as he netted nine times to secure European football for the Hammers and earn an unexpected England recall.
But after United chose to keep the midfielder this summer, Lingard enters the January window with similar game time frustrations to last season with opportunities still limited under new boss Rangnick.
Jonny Evans
Jonny Evans was a vastly underrated defender at United and the longevity of his Premier League career since his exit under Louis Van Gaal highlights his quality.
If it wasn't for the impregnable partnership of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, the Northern Irishman would surely have made dozens more appearances for the Red Devils.
But it was under Roy Keane at Sunderland where Evans gained the experience he would need to star under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Evans moved to Wearside in 2006 and was part of the Black Cats side that gained promotion to the Premier League.
He was loved at the Stadium of Light for his composed defensive showings in a season-long loan and even re-joined the following January as the club maintained top flight status.
After winning Sunderland's Young Player of the Year award aged just 19, Evans proved he was ready for the big stage at United.
Danny Welbeck
It was on Wearside that another United loanee made their mark as Danny Welbeck shone at the Stadium of Light.
United boss Ferguson loaned raw-talent Welbeck to Sunderland, managed by the Scot's great former defender Steve Bruce, in the 2010/11 season and reaped the rewards.
Welbeck returned six goals in 28 games for the Black Cats and proved he had the attributes to thrive in a physically demanding division.
Just months after returning to Old Trafford, Welbeck became a regular starter, and he memorably scored in an 8-2 rout against Arsenal.
Whilst Welbeck eventually struggled before leaving to join the Gunners, the striker realised his dream by playing for the side he supported as a boy.
