Oliver Norwood is the latest Manchester United youngster aiming to use his stint on loan to help him break into Sir Alex Ferguson's plans.
Midfielder keen to impress during Scunthorpe loan
Oliver Norwood is the latest Manchester United youngster aiming to use his stint on loan to help him break into Sir Alex Ferguson's plans.
The Northern Ireland international is currently on loan at League One Scunthorpe as Ferguson continues his blueprint to allow his best young players go out on loan in a bid to get regular first-team action to aid their development.
Norwood, who came through United's youth system, is highly regarded within the corridors of Old Trafford and is seen as a key player in Ferguson's future plans.
The 20-year-old has impressed during his time at Scunthorpe and a number of Championship clubs are thought to be waiting in the wings to sign the midfield playmaker when his loan spell expires in January.
Ferguson is well known for sending younger players out on loan before bringing them back to give them a shot at the first team and Norwood is hoping to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck who both enjoyed spells out on loan before establishing themselves as regulars.
Norwood is enjoying his spell at Glanford Park and he admits the ultimate goal is to finally work his way into United's star-studded side and make his mark at Old Trafford.
"It has been a dream since I was six or seven years old to play in United's first team and I just have to work hard and put in the extra yards to get there," Norwood told
skysports.com.
"I am really enjoying it at Scunthorpe. I have started every game since I have been here and it is about getting games coming out on loan and I have done well to play every game."
Inspiration
Norwood admits he takes inspiration from players like Cleverley, who learned his trade in the lower leagues before establishing himself in Ferguson's plans this season.
"When Tom was younger you could always see he was going to be a good player and he has done extra stuff off the pitch and he has now made himself a great midfield player," added Norwood.
"It all started in League One for him and he's worked hard to get to where he is and there is no reason why, if I put the work in, that I couldn't hopefully do the same."
United have been keeping tabs on Norwood with Paul Scholes checking on the midfielder during last month's draw with Huddersfield where he scored his first goal for Scunthorpe with a stunning long-range effort.
"The gaffer sent Scholes to watch me against Huddersfield when I scored my first goal and it was nice him being there.
"Warren Joyce [reserve team manager] follows the lads on loan and I am sure he reports back to the gaffer and he is the one that makes the decisions."
