READING HAVE SIGNED defender Tyler Blackett from Manchester United on a three-year deal, while Cameron Borthwick-Jackson will spend the 2016-17 season on loan at Championship side Wolves.
Blackett was handed a surprise debut in Louis van Gaal’s first Premier League game in charge of United in August 2014, a 2-1 home defeat to Swansea City, and went on to make 12 first-team appearances that season.
The 22-year-old spent last term on loan with Celtic, but only played eight times for the Scottish champions and, with a route into Jose Mourinho’s first-team plans appearing unlikely, he will continue his career under former United fans’ favourite Jaap Stam in the Championship.
“As we know, Tyler is a talented defender who has played for United’s first team,” said Reading boss Stam.
“He can play as a left-back or a left-sided centre-back; he has got great potential in the sense that he is quick and athletic, defensively he is strong and he is good at set-pieces.
As a defender he can go and play high up the pitch as well and that is what we need in the squad.”
Blackett is the latest defensive United academy product to leave the club during the current transfer window after Paddy McNair and Donald Love — both of whom also made debuts under Van Gaal — moved to Sunderland.
Meanwhile, Borthwick-Jackson broke into the United team under Louis van Gaal last season as injuries left them without a number of key players at the full-back position.
The 19-year-old, who signed a new contract in May which will tie him to Old Trafford until 2020, made 10 Premier League appearances as his side finished fifth in the table.
However, Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia have been first choice full-backs for new manager Jose Mourinho in the early games of this campaign, leaving Borthwick-Jackson on the sidelines.
In addition, Stoke City are interested in Manchester United defender Phil Jones as assistant Mark Bowen said “something may happen”.
Jones, 24, has been riddled by injuries throughout his career and appears set for a battle to earn a regular place at United.
Mark Hughes is believed to be keen to bring Jones to the club and Bowen confirmed there was a level of interest.
I remember Sam Allardyce talking about him when he broke through and said he was the new Duncan Edwards,” he told the Stoke Sentinel.
“He did well as a youngster, got the big move, but it hasn’t worked out for him there. I don’t know how close we are or how far down the line it’s gone.
“He’s played the majority of his career at centre half, but in his younger days he went into midfield as well.
“I don’t know what’s gone wrong, but he’s gone from even a player Fergie [Alex Ferguson] was talking about as being someone who could have been one of the greats.
But we have a bit of reputation for bringing players like that into this set up and then thriving. Fingers crossed, something may happen.”
Jones managed just 10 Premier League appearances last season and was left out of the squad for United’s two opening wins of this campaign.
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Not surprised at all. It’s been a disaster since day one with McLaren. Hopefully he get the alpine seat and can get back to the form he showed at redbull.
I feel sorry for him cause he’s one of the most likeable characters in the sport. Hope he finds some form somewhere else.