Loan Watch: Pereira and Hamilton off the mark
Nine of Manchester United’s loan players were in action across England and Europe over the weekend, with several helping their sides to much-needed victories.
Goalkeeper Joel Pereira was between the sticks as Hearts beat arch-rivals Hibernian 2-1 at Easter Road to register their first win of the season.
The Jambos fell behind early in the second half to Stephen Mallan’s 30-yard stunner, but goals from Uche Ikpeazu and 17-year-old Aaron Hickey ensured it was a derby day to remember on the west side of Edinburgh.
Pereira, who was playing in only his second league game of the campaign after injury, made a good save from Glenn Middleton to prevent Hibs from doubling their lead shortly before Ikpeazu’s equaliser.
Ethan Hamilton also experienced the winning feeling for the first time in 2019/20, as Southend United finally got off the mark with a 1-0 win at Milton Keynes Dons.
Charlie Kelman’s fourth-minute strike was enough to stun Stadium MK and our on-loan midfielder featured for 65 minutes in front of former Red Henrik Larsson, who is rumoured to be in line to take the reins at Roots Hall after Kevin Bond left his post earlier this month.
Elsewhere in League One, Cameron Borthwick Jackson’s Tranmere Rovers secured a dramatic late victory over Kieran O’Hara’s Burton Albion.
The Brewers looked to have secured all three points through Lucas Akins’ 66th-minute penalty, but injury-time strikes from Ollie Banks and Stefan Payne turned the game on its head to lift Rovers four points clear of the relegation zone.
Borthwick-Jackson replaced George Ray at half-time, while O’Hara maintained his ever-present record in goal for Nigel Clough’s side.
Dean Henderson continued his great start to life at Bramall Lane as Sheffield United shocked Everton, winning 2-0 at Goodison Park.
A Yerry Mina own goal and Lys Mousset’s first strike for the Blades helped Chris Wilder’s men to their second victory of the Premier League season, with Henderson having another solid afternoon in goal.
Henderson’s fellow goalkeeper Jacob Carney was also on the winning side during Stocksbridge Park Steels 3-1 victory at Newcastle Town, although Alex Fotijcek’s Stalybridge Celtic fell to a 3-1 defeat at home to Radcliffe.
Left-back George Tanner played the full 90 minutes as Morecambe were beaten 3-1 at Oldham Athletic.
On the continent, Alexis Sanchez was an unused substitute for Inter Milan’s 2-0 success over AC Milan in the Derby della Madonnina.
Second-half strikes from Marcelo Brozovic and former United forward Romelu Lukaku ensured Antonio Conte’s men kept up their 100 per cent start to the Serie A season.
Another familiar face in ex-City star Edin Dzeko netted an injury-time winner for Roma in their 2-1 win at Bologna.
Chris Smalling, who is yet to make his debut for the Giallorossi, missed out on the matchday squad with a muscle injury.
Finally, Aidan Barlow’s Tromso fell to a 1-0 defeat at home to relegation rivals Stromsgodset on Sunday.
Replaced by Daniel Berntsen with the game still deadlocked, Barlow watched on from the sidelines as Mikkel Maigaard’s late goal ensured Godset leapfrogged The Boys on goal difference in the Eliteserien table.
Tromso currently sit 13th, a place and a point clear of the relegation play-off spot, with eight games of the Norwegian season left to play.
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