Loan Update – 29 August-1 September

 
All the news from another weekend of action for United’s loanees. Goals, assists, clean sheets – it’s all happening…

At the Ullevål in Oslo, summer signing Mame Biram Diouf found the net for Molde for the 21st time this season (15th in the league), heading home a terrific cross from Magne Hoseth to give his side an 18th minute lead against home side Valerenga. Josh King’s former side responded admirably however, eventually winning 2-1 thanks to goals from Luton Shelton and Jarl-Andre Storbaek, leaving Molde ten points off the Tippeligaen pace set by Rosenborg.

Newcastle United and clean sheets haven’t been regular bedfellows for a while, but Danny Simpson‘s arrival on Tyneside has coincided with a run of three shutouts for the Magpies. The latest came at home to Leicester City on Monday, as Danny continued as an emergency centre-half in the absence of Fabricio Coloccini. Despite his atypical height for a centre-back (standing only 5′ 9″ tall), Danny competed well with one of the more aerially dangerous forwards in the Championship in Steve Howard and earned praise from Toon boss Chris Hughton.

Tom Cleverley continued his fine start to life with Watford on Saturday, creating the opening goal for teammate Danny Graham with a clever quick freekick at the Liberty Stadium as the Hornets took the lead against Swansea. Unfortunately for Tom and his colleagues, former United youngster Alan Tate popped up in injury time to grab the Swans a point and deny Cleverley and co. victory.

In the Serbian Superliga, Partizan edged out a stubbornly defensive Hajduk Kula side 1-0 in Belgrade, but Adem Ljajić missed a great chance late on to wrap the game up. The 17 year-old played 77 minutes as he continues to pick up terrific experience ahead of his January move to Manchester.

United’s most recent loan departure made what was described as ‘an assured start’ to his spell at Altrincham by their official site, Scott Moffatt playing the full 90 on debut as the Robins drew 1-1 with Cheshire rivals Chester City, who included another former Red, Michael Lea.

Danny Drinkwater missed Huddersfield’s 2-1 wins over Yeovil (in the league on Saturday) and Rotherham (in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy on Tuesday) due to a thigh injury picked up in last week’s Carling Cup tie against Newcastle. Despite his promising debut against Accrington in that same competition, Tom Heaton dropped back down to the bench for QPR’s trip to Scunthorpe, a game they won 1-0 thanks to Adel Taarabt’s early strike.

Rodrigo Possebon meanwhile has returned to Manchester after his loan spell with Sporting Braga was cancelled. More in that in a separate news story to follow.