Manchester United swap agreement confirmed as manager provides update

Manchester United have linked up with Doncaster Rovers for an arrangement that sees young players effectively swap clubs for a short period of time, manager Grant McCann has confirmed.

The agreement has seen two Doncaster players - Sam Straughan-Brown and Kasper Williams - spend some time at Carrington to take part in training. In return, two unnamed United youngsters have linked up with the League Two side.

The four players will get a taste of what life is like at the different levels of football with the hope that the experience will aid their development. It comes after United U21s drew 3-3 with Rovers earlier in the season in the EFL Trophy.

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Speaking about the agreement, Doncaster boss Grant McCann spoke about the importance of the relationship with United for his club.

"We've had a couple of boys in this week from Man United. They've been training with us and that's been really good, just to have a look at them, he told the Doncaster Free Press.

"We also sent Kasper and Sam-Brown over to Man United. It's about forming a relationship with them which is great and there's other clubs that want to do that as well and that speaks volumes about how we're playing, performing and what we've done with loans in the past such as Matty Craig and Patrick Kelly now.

"It's really good to have a chance to look at things like this."

While the two United players who have trained with the League Two side remain unnamed, McCann revealed that the duo took part in a friendly game during the week. He also spoke of the benefits of the experience to United’s youngsters

"They're two of Man United's better under-21 players and they both played in the game (behind-closed-doors) on Tuesday," he said. "And they were both excellent in that game. “One's a wide player and the other is a midfielder. It was nice to see. Travis (Binnion, under-21s lead coach) has been brilliant with us and the fact we've managed to get Kasper and Sam in there is great, to show them what a Premier League club looks like.

"But also their boys see how we work and train and deliver sessions. It's been a worthwhile week and having that link with one of the biggest clubs in the world is huge.

"If you're a young player at Man United then you've got everything there: The best training ground, the best pitches, best food. Everything is just laid on for you.

"I remember when they came to us (in the EFL Trophy group game in September) they came up with brand new Hugo Boss suits! and we're in our tracksuits so it's just a different world isn't it? But coming here gives them an insight into what it means to win three points as opposed to under-23s football where it doesn't really matter. It's a huge thing."