Man United in chase for Hibs starlet Laidlaw
MANCHESTER UNITED have joined the list of clubs tracking Hibs’ explosive teenage strike prospect Ethan Laidlaw. The 16-year-old forward signed his first professional contract in February and has yet to make an appearance for the first team. An unused substitute in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox, the former Easter Road ball boy has already spent a week on trial at Leeds United. And Manchester United are now keen to lure Laidlaw south for a week’s training before the end of the year. Hibs are in no rush to lose one of their top young talents, who has been part of the academy since the age of ten. Sporting director Graeme Mathie is plotting a pathway for the youngster’s development — with one option being a loan move to League Two partner club Stenhousemuir to gain experience. Speaking after Laidlaw signed his first professional deal, Mathie told the club website: ‘He’s the first 2005-born player we have in the Academy who has signed a contract and follows many of the 2004 age group who have been at the club from a young age. ‘Ethan signing is a credit to all the staff who have worked with him throughout his time at Hibernian, the ongoing support from his family, and Ethan’s willingness to work hard to improve. ‘We were able to show Ethan a clear pathway of how he might be able to move between our Under-18s to our first team — likely involving our strategic partnership with Stenhousemuir.’