James Garner signs new Man Utd contract & returns to Nottingham Forest on loan

Manchester United have confirmed that young midfielder James Garner has penned a new long-term contract at the club before heading off on loan to Nottingham Forest.

The 20-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at the City Ground and enjoyed a hugely productive spell, bagging four goals in 20 appearances from the base of Forest's midfield.

There had been calls from some fans for Garner to be promoted to the United first team permanently, but consistent minutes were always going to be tough to find in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's squad, and so United have confirmed on their official website that Garner has returned to Forest on a new 12-month loan.

Before sealing the move, Garner put pen to paper on a new three-year contract, tying himself to the Red Devils until 2024 in a deal which also includes an option to extend by a further 12 months.

“I’m made up, Manchester United has been a massive part of my life for over ten years now," Garner said of his new contract. "My ambitions are obviously to become a first-team player here. I know exactly what it takes, I’m ready to go and showcase my ability to everyone and keep on striving for all my goals.

“Signing this new contract shows the faith that the club has in me, it gives me extra motivation and means so much for me and my family.

“I want to be a big player for this club one day, that is my ultimate aim and I’ll be working every day to make that happen.”

Solskjaer has been full of praise for Garner throughout the summer but recently confessed that the young midfielder needed more time out on loan before he would be ready to compete for first-team minutes.

“He’s done really well in pre-season, and he’s really impressed me,” Solskjaer said. “I think for his career, another season, or another six months now to start with, playing regularly in the Championship will help him.”