By Chris,
March 28 2008

Manchester United winger Michael Barnes has joined League Two side Shrewsbury Town on loan until the end of the season. The youngster has caught the eye of Shrews’ boss Paul Simpson after a series of lively displays for the Reds' reserve side. Barnes' new club currently sit 18th in League Two - but are eleven points above the drop-zone.

Simpson has suggested that the New Meadow club may be interested in signing Barnes permanent at the end of the season: “I've signed him on loan until the end of the season and if he's what we are looking for then we will look to try and do something with him in the summer.” 

Barnes has made fourteen reserve-team appearances this season and also had a decent loan spell at Chesterfield earlier on in the season. In February, he spent a one-week trial with Inverness Caledonian Thistle. 

The 19-year-old joined the club two seasons ago after scouts spotted him playing for Lancaster City. He has since made one appearance for United’s first-team – coming on as a substitute in a League Cup win at Crewe eighteen months ago. 

However, he hasn’t fulfilled the potential that many at the club had hoped to see. With his contract up at the end of the season, the player looks certain to move on.  Good luck to Barnes in Shropshire.