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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Samuel Luckhurst

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag to wait before making James Garner decision

Erik ten Hag will watch James Garner first-hand before deciding on the Manchester United midfielder's immediate future.

Garner, 21, was outstanding on loan at Nottingham Forest as he helped the club return to the Premier League for the first time since 1999 with a 1-0 win over Huddersfield in the Championship Play-off final.

Garner's return to United's Carrington training complex will be delayed as he is on England Under-21 duty until June 13. United's first day of pre-season is on June 27 and Garner is expected to be among the second group of returnees.

READ MORE: Why United and Rangnick have abandoned consultancy role

If Ten Hag decides on another loan for Garner then United are only likely to consider options in the Premier League. Top-tier clubs expressed interest in loaning Garner in the January transfer window but he wanted to stay at Forest.

The Manchester Evening News reported Garner was hopeful of being included in the United squad next season, with central midfielders Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba due to leave when their contracts expire next month.

United are scheduled to fly to Thailand on July 8 for their first pre-season friendly against Liverpool in Bangkok before travelling to Australia for three friendlies against Melbourne Victory, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa in Melbourne and Perth.

United want to sign at least one midfielder amid interest in Kalvin Phillips of Leeds and Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong.

Scott McTominay, Fred and Donny van de Beek are the only senior central midfielders Ten Hag is due to inherit and Garner travelled to the United States and Australasia and Asia for United's last two overseas tours in 2018 and 2019.

Garner made his United debut against Crystal Palace in February 2019 and he has started twice for the club, both times in the Europa League group stage later that year. He has made another five substitute appearances.

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