James Garner sends clearest Man Utd statement yet in complete Forest performance

Manchester United played out a below-par stalemate against Watford on Saturday.

It was a far from acceptable performance for a side who have aspirations of a top-four finish and the home fans let them know it, with a chorus of boos greeting the full-time whistle.

Whilst things at Old Trafford are not quite rosy, what about those players out on loan this season.

No fewer than eight are currently at EFL clubs.

Here, we look at how those players away from United fared for their respective temporary employers on Saturday.

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James Garner

Midfielder Garner continues to dazzle on loan at Nottingham Forest.

His performances have steadily improved over the last few months and Saturday saw him notch his third goal of the season in Forest's 2-0 win at home to Bristol City.

According to the Twitter account 'Statman Dave' Garner recorded 61 touches and won six ground duels - as well as scoring the aforementioned goal, which was a tidy finish after Max Lowe's cutback.

He lasted 87 minutes and was given a warm reception when he was substituted off. Forest are now just three points off the play-off spots and Garner looks key to those aspirations for Steve Cooper's side.

Tahith Chong

After four months out injured, Chong made a welcome return to action for Birmingham City on Saturday.

He came on as a 66th minute substitute but couldn't prevent the Blues - who were playing under the moniker of Small Heath Alliance - from losing 2-0 to in-form Huddersfield.

Chong's return for the final clutch of games will be a big boost to City boss Lee Bowyer who recently spoke of the importance of the loanee.

Teden Mengi

Mengi, like Chong, is also on loan at Birmingham but did not play on Saturday. He has sat out the last three games with a hamstring injury.

Bowyer recently said: "Young Teden has just felt his hamstring. This division is ruthless and demanding and asks a lot of questions of you physically. You need the squad to cope with that."

Ethan Laird

Laird made his long-awaited Bournemouth debut on Saturday.

Laird impressed at Swansea in the first half of the season before United decided to end the agreement early and re-despatch him to the Cherries.

He came on as a 73rd minute substitute as ten-man Bournemouth came from behind to beat Stoke 2-1. It was a dramatic game for Laird to feature in, with Scott Parker's side trailing until the 83rd minute, before Dominic Solanke and Jamal Lowe struck to seal a dramatic win.

Di'Shon Bernard

Bernard was an unused substitute in Hull City's thoroughly convincing 3-0 win over Peterborough.

The victory moves to allay fears of an instant relegation back to League One for the Tigers, as they moved 14 points clear of the drop zone.

The irony of the win was that it came against new Posh boss Grant McCann, who left Hull earlier this year and was the man who persuaded Bernard to sign on a season-long loan.

Ethan Galbraith

Northern Ireland midfielder Galbraith once again missed out as Doncaster Rovers staged a comeback to draw 2-2 at AFC Wimbledon.

The youngster has now missed the last seven games with a calf concern that recently saw him return to United for treatment.

Reece Devine

The defender sat out Michael Flynn's first game as Walsall manager as the Saddlers posted an impressive 3-1 win over Hartlepool.

Giving an update on Devine and fellow defender Zak Mills, Flynn said: "They're both out for a few weeks.

"Zak is three to four and Reece is around four to five weeks out so disappointing because you want everybody fit and raring to go for us to end the season on a high.

"It's part and parcel of the game and we hope they're back sooner."

Nathan Bishop

Goalkeeper Bishop posted another clean sheet as Mansfield ruined Mark Hughes' first game back in football as Bradford boss.

Bishop kept a clean sheet in a 2-0 win that enhances the Stags' play-off chances.

He also pulled off a superb save late on to keep out Andy Cook's close-range header. Mansfield are now just three points off the automatic promotion spots, with games in hand, and are unbeaten in 13 league games.