Hibernian FC’s 16-year-old prodigy Ethan Laidlaw could be set for a Manchester United trial after making a bench appearance against Rangers.
According to Caught Offside’s Leah Smith, Manchester United are among the clubs keeping a close eye on Ethan Laidlaw. The young Hibernian FC teenager has raised a lot of eyebrows with his rapid development in the youth stages and has been even invited to train with the Red Devils for a week.
Although still contracted to Hibernian, Laidlaw is expected to train with Manchester United sometime before the end of the season. It could be an exciting experience for the player, who just signed his professional contract with Hibernian earlier in February – becoming the eighth player from the academy to do so this season.
A centre-forward by trade, Laidlaw has been with the Hibs setup since the age of 10. He is often described as a quick striker, who is more than capable of holding his own against the big boys, using his skill and technique in the process.
Although the 16-year-old is yet to make a single appearance for Hibernian in competitive football, he has certainly exhibited a lot of promise during his time in the youth leagues.
? Huge congratulations to 16-year-old striker Ethan Laidlaw who is in today's matchday squad.
? The Hibernian Academy graduate has gone from being a ballboy at games to signing his first professional contract earlier this year.
Read more: https://t.co/QGRxIclGOq pic.twitter.com/quOV5nHcwp
— Hibernian Football Club (@HibernianFC) April 11, 2021
Manchester United, however, won’t be the only club offering a trial for the exciting youngster, as he also reportedly spent a week with Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United. It will, though, certainly make Laidlaw’s schedule far more hectic as the youngster is already juggling between his academic life and his budding footballing career.
A lot could depend on how the 16-year-old finishes the ongoing campaign with Hibernian. Although the season is mostly done and dusted in Scotland, the club still has a few games remaining in the Second Phase. It won’t be surprising to see him at least make one appearance from the bench as head coach Jack Ross looks to give him some valuable game-time.
Manchester United, too, will be keeping a close eye on Laidlaw’s development, not only during the trial but also for the next couple of months, knowing they will get an opportunity to sign him on a permanent basis in the summer.
