Source: Northern_Echo
Mowbray looks at young Red Devils
MIDDLESBROUGH are keeping an eye on Manchester United's promising talents ahead of a summer of change at the Riverside Stadium.[LNB] Boro boss Tony Mowbray started to put his close-season plans into place yesterday by announcing the departures of Willo Flood, Maximilian Haas and Andrew Davies.[LNB] They followed confirmation on Monday that goalkeeper Paul Smith's loan from Nottingham Forest had ended, while Mikael Tavares' short-term move from Hamburg had also reached its conclusion.[LNB] The departures are unlikely to stop there, with Mowbray prepared to listen to offers for a number of his players, particularly his high earners, in the hope it will strengthen his own recruitment drive.[LNB] Middlesbrough are keen on keeping Julio Arca and have offered him a deal on reduced terms, with his existing contract due to expire at the end of next month.[LNB] But Mowbray is also weighing up a number of avenues to pursue when he is given the go-ahead to add to his squad in the hope it leads to promotion.[LNB] While he has his scouting network running the rule over a number of players, Mowbray is looking at United's young guns.[LNB] Twenty-year-old midfielder Oliver Norwood, who has spent time on loan at Carlisle this season, and 19-year-old striker Nicky Ajose, who has hit 13 goals in 28 appearances on loan at Bury this season, are under consideration.[LNB] Firstly, however, Mowbray knows he has to reduce the club's £20m wage bill and he started that task this week when he informed Flood and Haas that their deals would not be renewed.[LNB] Flood's 18-months at the Riverside Stadium since moving from Celtic have been hampered by injuries and Mowbray accepts the player did not have a chance to shine under him.[LNB] Mowbray said: "Willo has been unfortunate in that he hasn't really had a chance to impress while I've been here. He has been very unlucky with injuries and his contract has come to an end just when we are looking to reduce costs.[LNB] "I'm aware that Willo started very well when he came here and I can see exactly what assets he brings to the team. I am looking to put my own stamp on the team and I need to create space in the squad to enable me to bring ion my own players."[LNB] Haas, on the other hand, has failed to have an impact since arriving from Bayern Munich's second team in January.[LNB] It was announced when the German defender signed that he had joined on an initial 18-month deal. However, it has emerged the final 12 months of that contract were subject to him proving himself on Teesside.[LNB] Mowbray said: "We did have an option to give Maxi a further year on his contract, but I have decided to let him move on. I wanted to give Maxi the opportunity to adapt from German football to the English game.[LNB] "The qualities that you get from spending several years with Bayern Munich were there for anyone to see, but ultimately I don't feel he has the right qualities to cope with the physical demands of the Championship."[LNB] Stockton-born defender Davies, meanwhile, has 12 months remaining on his contract at Stoke City, where he still earns Premier League wages.[LNB] If a deal for him is to take place this summer, then Davies, Stoke and Middlesbrough would have to come to some sort of agreement.[LNB]
