Regan Poole is pleased to be back at Manchester United after his season-long loan spell with Northampton Town and could be involved against the League Two side in Friday night's live MUTV friendly (kick-off 19:45 BST).
“It’s good to be back,”Poole told MUTV. “I obviously know all of the lads from when I was here before.
“I had a good two years here before I went out on loan and there are still a lot of familiar faces. A few people have moved on and it’s good to see them doing so well.”
“I enjoyed it,“ he said. ”Obviously, I went there because of the manager [Justin Edinburgh] who I worked with before [at Newport County], but the first couple of games didn’t get off to a great start and he ended up moving on. I went through a fair few managers in my year there but, at the end of the day, I got around 25 games. It was a little bit of an up-and-down season for me, but it was a rewarding experience.
“These days, it’s harder and harder getting out on loan and you’re never guaranteed to play wherever you go. The aim for a young player to go out on loan is to get as many games as you can and the more games you play, the better it is for you, and that was my aim.
“It’s a good experience for anyone going out on loan, I would advise it as early as you can really because, if you can get as many games [as possible], it can only benefit you.”
The youngster is accomplished in defence and midfield and gained vital experience in both positions during his year away from Old Trafford.
“I was in and out of centre-midfield and centre-back,” he explained. “I played most of my games in central midfield, I think, and then, towards the end of the season, I moved further back when there were a few injuries.
"It doesn’t bother me if I play at centre-midfield or centre-back - I enjoy both. I’m learning both positions, so I’ll try to do the best I can."
“I played right-back as well and, wherever the manager asks you to play, you do it.
“I’m learning both positions, I’m still quite young so I’ll try to do the best I can. It doesn’t bother me where I play, centre-midfield or centre-back, I enjoy both, to be honest, so I don’t really mind.
“Defensive-midfield and centre-back are quite similar positions in the modern game. You need the traits to play both really. If you can play defensive-midfield, I’m sure you can play centre-back.”
While Poole is pleased to be back with the Reds, he’s interested in going on loan again and keep progressing as a player, although any final decision will, of course, be down to the staff.
“Obviously, this time last year I was already gone, so maybe this season it might be a little bit of a longer wait to see what happens,
“ he added.
“I’m not in any rush. I’m happy here for as long as I can be, but the aim is to go out on loan - I’m just not too sure where really at the moment. I’ll just sit back play my football here and see if anything comes up. I've had a few enquiries and offers at the moment but let's see what happens.”