Loans: Debutant Reds

Two more Reds left Old Trafford on loan over the weekend, and immediately clocked up some minutes for their temporary clubs...

Ritchie De Laet was helpless to prevent a 1-0 defeat to Leeds as he made his Sheffield United debut in a feisty Yorkshire derby at Elland Road. De Laet was introduced to the action at half-time, putting in a confident display at right-back for Gary Speed’s Blades.

Also making his loan-debut was hot-shot striker Nicky Ajose, who has signed for League two promotion chasers Bury on a one month deal. The Bury-born forward came on for the final 10 minutes to help consolidate a comfortable 2-0 win at Cheltenham.

Danny Welbeck played 80 minutes for Sunderland and was pivotal in securing an impressive 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Anfield. The England under-21 star took a heavy blow to the head from Steven Gerrard, resulting in his substitution for Asamoah Gyan.

Mame Biram Diouf’s fine form in a Blackburn Rovers shirt was rewarded with a start against Blackpool as Sam Allardyce’s men secured a dramatic 2-1 win. The Senegalese striker had struck four goals in eight, but failed to hit the target against the Tangerines before being substituted at half-time.

James Chester and Oliver Norwood both retained their starting places for Carlisle United but were at the wrong end of a 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth. Norwood continued to anchor the midfield before being substituted on 55 minutes, while Chester completed a full game at centre-half.

Elsewhere, Tom Cleverly, Joshua King, Matthew James and Danny Drinkwater all missed out through injury for Wigan Athletic, Preston North End and