Loan Watch: Laird scores for QPR
Two of Manchester United's loan players will always look back on Tuesday night with vivid memories.
Ethan Laird is enjoying life as a QPR player, and scored for them inside 15 minutes, as they beat Hull City 3-1. The right-back made a bursting run to finish off Kenneth Paal's enticing ball into the box.
His maiden first-team goal comes just days after getting an assist last time out as QPR beat Watford 3-2, with Laird building on his impressive start to life in the capital.
😆 Enjoy your evening, @EthanLaird? #QPR | #QPRHUL pic.twitter.com/ZeMNeauYvZ
— QPR FC (@QPR) August 30, 2022
QPR boss Michael Beale said he is "delighted" with our loanee, and how well he has settled into the squad, during his post-match reaction to the win. Beale believes there is still "more to come, which is the exciting thing."
The defender did score in the Papa John's Trophy for our youngsters, against Rotherham United in 2019 but this moment will be on that also sticks with him.
Ethan Laird’s game by numbers vs. Hull City:
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) August 30, 2022
100% long balls completed
92% pass accuracy
62 touches
3 shots on target
2/3 tackles won
2 interceptions
2 dribbles
1 goal
Helps the Hoops send the Tigers back to their lair without a point. 🔵🙌 pic.twitter.com/oZDdr6LoMu
Hannibal was also in action on Tuesday, making his debut for Birmingham City off the bench, having completed the loan move a day prior. The Midlanders suffered a 2-1 defeat to Norwich City, after a stoppage-time winner left them without a point to show for their efforts.
Birmingham boss John Eustace believes there is "lots to come" from the Tunisia international. Eustace feels Hannibal will bring "energy, enthusiasm, technically he is very good and, hopefully, he can entertain the crowd a little bit and get us up the pitch and also work very hard off the ball as well."
Defender Eric Bailly could start for French side Marseille having come off the bench in their 3-0 win over Nice. They go up against Clermont Foot, with kick-off at 20:00 BST.
In the Premier League, goalkeeper Dean Henderson is likely to start for Nottingham Forest as they take on our rivals Manchester City, with kick-off at 19:30 BST.
Forest lost their previous game against Tottenham Hotspur, despite Henderson's heroics in goal in saving Harry Kane's penalty. He became the first Premier League keeper to save a Kane spot-kick in four years.