Man Utd transfer now in doubt after manager sacked

Forest Green Rovers have sacked manager Ian Burchnall, leaving the proposed signing of Manchester United midfielder Charlie Savage in doubt.

Forest Green have found it difficult to adjust to life in League One following their promotion last season, and sit rock bottom of the table after picking up just five wins in 28 matches.

Savage, the son of former footballer and TV pundit Robbie Savage, was expected to join the club on loan this January.

However, news of Burchnall's departure has plunged the move into doubt.

Savage's loan move in doubt

Savage, 19, was identified as a player who could help change fortunes at the New Lawn Stadium, having made 13 appearances for the Red Devils' U21 side this season.

But the switch could now be delayed or even cancelled. However, there are likely to be plenty of clubs waiting to pounce should the loan deal fall through.

BBC Sport reported that United fielded enquiries from several clubs for the midfielder, with Savage deciding he wanted to join Forest Green.

He made his senior debut for United in a Champions League match against Young Boys in December 2021, whilst his father sat in the gantry, commentating for BT Sport.

The U21 Wales international went on to feature in both Manchester United's mid-season friendlies against Real Betis and Cadiz.

However, he hasn't played for the first team since, with the club hoping he can get some valuable first-team experience on loan.

And he's not the only one who could be packing his bags. Facundo Pellistri, Anthony Elanga, Brandon Williams, Zidane Iqbal, Di'Shon Bernard and Alex Tuanzebe have all been rumoured with a loan move away from Old Trafford this winter.

Forest Green in deep water

Forest Green's 1-0 defeat to Bolton on Tuesday proved to be Burchnall's last game in charge, leaving the club four points adrift of safety.

Burchnall succeeded Graham Potter as manager of Swedish club Ostersunds and achieved a win ratio of over 50 per cent with National League side Notts County before departing last summer - but it hasn't been the easiest road in Gloucestershire.

Club chairman Dale Vince released a statement which read: "I’m grateful to Ian for all his hard work this season, it’s definitely not been easy.

"Our first season in League One was always going to be a challenge in itself but it’s been made more difficult by a number of factors, with their roots in last summer.

"I believe in Ian as a coach, but circumstances have led us to this place, we’ve recruited strongly in the January window, player wise - now we need to recruit a new head coach - to give ourselves the best chance or staying in this league."

Topics: Manchester United, Robbie Savage, Erik Ten Hag, Zidane Iqbal, Premier League, League One, Football, Transfers

Joe Adams

Joe is a Journalist for SPORTbible with a primary focus on football. He has previously covered a number of other sports including boxing, rugby and F1. Wishes he was born left-footed.

@joeadamsjourno