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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
George Smith

Manchester United loan watch: Tahith Chong and James Garner shine as Martial and Amad frustrated

Manchester United experienced a weekend to forget after being hammered 4-1 by Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

After producing an encouraging display in the first-half, despite trailing 2-1 at the break, United collapsed in the second-half, with two goals from Riyad Mahrez sealing a comfortable win for the home side. It was a horror show from the Reds and they will be determined to quickly erase it from their memories.

However, there was a wide range of feelings experienced by United's loan army over the weekend. The club sent a total of 14 players out on loan last summer and a further five in January, whilst others switched clubs.

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With that in mind, MEN Sport has taken a close look at how those who were in action over the weekend got on, both here in England and abroad.

Starting in the Premier League, it proved to be a hugely disappointing weekend for Brandon Williams at Norwich City. The left-back played 81 minutes during the Canaries' damaging 3-1 defeat to Brentford.

His only highlight came when Norwich were 1-0 down and he was dragged to the turf by Christian Eriksen. Williams reacted angrily to being fouled by the Dane and soon turned on him to give him a ticking off, but immediately changed his mind when realising it was Eriksen, instead giving him a hug in a heartwarming moment.

In the Championship, United had three loanees in action, two of whom played key roles in their club's away day successes. Starting on Friday night, James Garner claimed a 95th minute assist to help Nottingham Forest earn a last-gasp 1-1 draw at Sheffield United.

Having dominated much of the contest, Forest looked set to head back to the Midlands without anything to show for their efforts. However, Garner's corner found the head of Ryan Yates to earn them a point in their push for a play-off place.

Elsewhere, Tahith Chong netted his first senior goal in English football, scoring Birmingham City's first in their 2-1 win at Bristol City. It was his first start since October following a lengthy injury lay-off and he could not have wished to have marked his return to the starting line-up in a better manner.

Ethan Laird, meanwhile, earned his second appearance for Bournemouth, stepping off the bench in their 2-1 defeat to Preston North End. However, Teden Mengi played no part for Birmingham and Di'Shon Bernard was an unused substitute in Hull City's 2-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion.

Dropping down into League One, midfielder Ethan Galbraith was a half-time substitute as Doncaster Rovers' hopes of avoiding relegation were dealt another blow after losing 4-0 to Cheltenham Town. Rovers, who are camped inside the relegation zone, were 2-0 down at half-time and conceded twice more in the last 15 minutes to cap off a forgettable afternoon on the road.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Matej Kovar was an unused substitute as Burton Albion were beaten 4-1 by Oxford United. He is yet to make his debut for the Brewers since signing on loan in January.

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Fellow goalkeeper Nathan Bishop helped Mansfield Town extend their unbeaten run in League Two to 14 matches with a 2-1 win over Exeter City at the One Call Stadium. Although he made a mistake to deny himself a second successive clean sheet, he earned huge praise from manager Nigel Clough after the game.

However, fellow League Two loanee Reece Devine played no part in Walsall's draw with Barrow. He has missed the last five matches.

There was no joy for Dylan Levitt - on loan at Dundee United - and Rangers loanee Amad, either. Neither of them played over the weekend, with the former currently sidelined with a hamstring problem.

In Spain, Facundo Pellistri was an unused substitute for Alaves in their 0-0 draw with Sevilla. Anthony Martial played no part for the latter and missed out through injury.

Meanwhile, Andreas Pereira started Flamengo's 2-1 win over Vasco da Gama, but Axel Tuanzebe played no part in Napoli's 1-0 defeat to AC Milan, meaning he has now missed the last five league games through injury.

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