Ethan Laird revealed Nathan Dyer was a key influence during his loan spell with Swansea City last season.
Laird joined the Swans from Manchester United for the duration of the 2021/22 campaign but had his time in south Wales cut short as he was sent to Bournemouth in January. However, he impressed during his spell with the Swans and featured 21 times in all competitions under Russell Martin - who also worked with the 20-year-old at MK Dons.
He is currently with the Red Devils on their pre-season tour but has spoken about learning from Swans icons such as Dyer and Wayne Routledge while also discussing the "exceptional" players - including Matt Grimes - that he played alongside.
“At Swansea I knew some of the players already, some of the ‘legends’ you can say were literally just retired," he told the Manchester United website. "We had Wayne Routledge – literally just retired. Nathan Dyer – literally just retired. So obviously, Nath, I spoke to Nath and he helped me.
“Some of the players there are exceptional. The captain, Matt Grimes, technical, but there’s so many players you just take it in from what they do on the ball, so that was a bit different for me, just watching them and then you realise ‘oh, I need to do the same to do that'."
It comes after United boss Erik ten Hag suggested Laird could be sent back out on loan. "That's why we took them with us," he said of Laird and Tahith Chong's impressive performances during pre-season.
"I want to have an impression from all the players and give them the chance to show what they're capable of. If they can contribute, maybe to Man United or a loan period is better. There are also other possibilities. It's good that United have some talents, but we need improvement and we need development."
Swansea remain eager to sign a right wing-back this summer following the exits of Laird and then Cyrus Christie last term.
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