Manchesdter United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that he's prepared to send young American defender Jonathan Spector out on loan in order to gain vital senior match experience.

The 18-year-old has only featured a handful of first-team games, but has been starring in the reserve and youth teams indicating that he is one for the future. So impressive, the versatile defender bagged the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award, an accolade won by many youngsters who have risen up to football stardom.

Spector caught the eye standing in at an unfamiliar left-back position at the start of the season and now his boss Ferguson believes he's ready for a loan deal. "We're looking at letting Jonathan Spector go out on loan in the next couple of weeks," said the Scot.

"We feel that Jonathan is the type that needs that challenge now. He is very close to first-team level. The challenge of going out on loan will test him and bring him on that bit further."

Regarding the history of sending players out on loan, Ferguson said: "It’s part of their football education. We’ve always done it. I’ve always found that when a player comes back having been out on loan, that they are mentally and physically stronger."

"I don’t think they change as people. They just gain that mental strength of playing at a different level and seeing life at another football club."