Boca Juniors have announced that a loan deal for Manchester United’s recently acquired, Uruguayan youngster, Guillermo Varela could be in the pipeline. Having just signed the 20-year-old, it would be a quick turnaround to see him back in South America, but this could be advantageous for everyone involved….

Having virtually no first team experience in his native Uruguay, Guillermo Varela was plucked from Uruguay’s youth ranks following his impressive performances in the 2013 South American Youth Championship. Manchester United saw his potential as Uruguay finished third and reportedly paid Peñarol €2.8 million, despite the youngster having played only 23 minutes of top flight football in his home country.

Ordinarily, Verela would have been expected to join up with United’s Development Squad but Jose Requejo, Boca Juniors Club Secretary last announced on the radio that a one-year “loan has been 80% arranged.” The potentially difficult integration into life in Manchester avoided for now and the greater chance of competitive playing time could be an astute play by the Premier League champions.

What Verela may have in technique and potential, he certainly lacks in experience and playing time, something which he will not find at Old Trafford any time soon. At Boca Juniors, even at his tender age, Varela could find himself playing regularly alongside several other more experienced players. Importantly, in addition to simply getting some time on the pitch Varela will become accustomed to playing regularly in front of a large and expectant crowd. While La Bombonera may be one of the most recognisable stadiums in world football it is also one of the most intense and the Boca fans will be quick to let one of their own know if he is not up to speed. For an eventual transition to playing in Manchester and the pressure of always competing at the the very highest level this could prove an invaluable experience.

For Boca Juniors it could also be beneficial as Carlos Bianchi has attempted to overhaul his aging squad after the bitter disappointment of the Torneo Final and their Copa Libertadores exit. The right side of Boca’s side has been in need of reinforcement and Verela would offer a more natural option on this flank than those currently in the squad. The prospect of perhaps Varela and Sanchez Miño covering both wings could provide Boca a great deal of width.

And for Manchester United? Varela has spent sometime at Carrington and has seen his new surroundings and can now go away to study his English and gain experience knowing that he will return much more prepared for the rigours of English football. With Rafael having grown into the right back spot and the able deputies of Chris Smalling or Phil Jones, the signing was always going to be one for the future so there is no rush to thrust Varela into the limelight.

We will wait to see if the deal goes through as there has been no news from Manchester as of yet but in a young man’s footballing education a spell in La Bombonera could do no harm.