Peterborough United have strengthened their squad by signing two Manchester United players on loan.
21-year-olds Scott Wootton and Davide Petrucci have signed for Posh and will go straight into the squad for Saturdays match away at Nottingham Forest. Wootton will remain at Posh until the end of the season while Petrucci has signed for one month.
Wootton will be familiar with his surroundings having spent time on loan at London Road last season as well as at Forest. He was played out of position for the majority of his time at Posh as he covered injuries playing as a defensive midfielder.
The central defender was at London Road last night [Tuesday] to witness the Posh Youths knock out Aston Villa in the FA Youth Cup to set up a tie with neighbours Leicester City in the fourth round.
Wootton, who has made four substitute appearances for the Manchester United first team this season, was reportedly wanted by Championship rivals Birmingham, Blackburn and Bristol City.
Petrucci will be experiencing life on loan for the first time. The attacking midfielder signed for the Red Devils four years ago but was out injured for two years but has come back stronger and has impressed the management at United.
He apparently possesses a deadly “Beckham-style” bent free-kick and often does a “no-look” pass! He lacked the physicality needed at an early age but he has now built that into his game to add to his superb ball-handling, exceptional play making and accurate long distance shooting.
Prior to his injury, he was part of the Academy side who lifted the Milk Cup in Northern Ireland in 2008, while the team finished second in the Academy League as Petrucci played 14 times scoring 5 goals.
He was hit by a number of injuries which kept him out of action until the 2011 pre-season. He made an immediate impression with many tigerish and physical performances in the Reserves earning himself a call up to the senior team for their Premiership clash at Tottenham.
He can play in a number of different positions which would also be an attraction to Darren Ferguson. He can play as a deep-lying midfielder, further up the pitch as a central attacking midfielder and, in his favorite position, as a second striker playing off the shoulder of a front man. His versatility could see Petrucci take over Thorne`s vacated midfield role or he may start off in Lee Tomlin`s place playing off the in-form Dwight Gayle.
Although Petrucci has been on the verge of the first team, he has yet to feature for them. He has now reached the stage where reserve outings aren`t good enough if he is progress into the first team, hence why he will continue his development at Posh. His tough tackling allied with his silken touch and poise should help Posh out in midfield as they look to find that missing element since the impressive George Thorne returned to WBA.
Darren Ferguson is delighted to have both players to bolster his squad: “Davide is a very good footballer, is a good size and this is his first loan move, so that is why it is only for a month, but between the two of us, I am sure we can extend it to the end of the season if it works out for all parties.
“He can play anywhere in midfield, he can play off the front and he could play in a sitting role. He is a very talented boy and we will just find the right position for him. Lee Tomlin is obviously suspended, I have young Jaanai Gordon who has impressed, but I think Davide can play in that one off the front role.
“Scott was very unfortunate last time he was here because Ryan Bennett and Gabriel Zakuani struck up such a good partnership, but this time, I am looking for him to be a regular starter.
“He has played in a three-man defensive line before and he is very comfortable in any of those positions. I am really pleased to get him, he has been a big part of the squad at United and they think very highly of him.
“We have got him until the end of the season. It is an area I wanted another body in because obviously Gabriel is away with the African Cup of Nations,” Ferguson continued.
Vital Posh welcomes both Scott and Davide to London Road and may their time at Posh be a successful one.
UP THE POSH Follow me on Twitter: @mwl1967
Photos courtesy of www.theposhpics.com
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