Neil Critchley could be set for a significant QPR blow in January, as reports suggest that Manchester United may consider recalling loanee Ethan Laird.

According to Samuel Luckhurst in the Manchester Evening News, the Red Devils are free to recall the right-back in January and will make a decision following the end of the World Cup, with Argentina and France set to face off in the final on Sunday.

The report claims that Erik ten Hag is seeking a more dependable right-back to challenge Diogo Dalot for a starting position at Old Trafford. Laird could be the ideal candidate, as Aaron Wan-Bissaka is not viewed as a viable option by the United manager and looks likely to depart in the January transfer window.

Laird has made a promising start to life at Loftus Road and has been a regular throughout the Championship campaign so far, contributing one goal and two assists in the second tier and averaging a solid 6.76 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

This ranks the 21-year-old as the eighth-best performer in the Hoops' squad so far this term, which emphasises how impressive he has been, and Critchley will surely want to keep hold of him in the January transfer window.

Laird also ranks fourth for tackles per game, dribbles per game and assists in QPR's squad, which shows that he can offer a threat in both attack and defence.

Seny Dieng was full of praise for the marauding defender earlier in the season, labelling him "outstanding", and Laird could be a big factor in Critchley improving QPR's woeful recent form, starting with a game against Preston North End this weekend.

The former Blackpool boss is very short of right-back options at Loftus Road. Only Osman Kakay is available as a senior backup to Laird and he has disappointed in his Championship appearances so far this season, averaging a poor 6.20 rating from WhoScored, which ranks him as the club's 20th-best performer.

While Critchley might be primarily concerned with potentially losing joint-top scorer Lyndon Dykes to Rangers in next month's transfer window, it seems clear that it would also be a significant blow to the Hoops if Laird were to return to Old Trafford ahead of schedule.