Barnsley have signed Manchester United midfielder Ryan Tunnicliffe on loan after losing Scott Golbourne who has had surgery on his injured knee.
24-year-old Golbourne has been a stand out performer The Reds this season, particularly during this incredible unbeaten run under David Flitcroft and netted the equaliser in the 3-2 victory at Middlesbrough two weeks ago.
But the former Exeter man damaged ligaments in his knee during training at the start of this week and missed Tuesday night’s 2-1 triumph over Wolves that took The Reds out of the relegation zone for the first time in 2013. He was sent for a scan yesterday and it was decided the best course of action was minor surgery that will rule him out for the rest of the campaign.
This has forced Flicker to move into the loan market and he has acquired the services of the highly rated 20 year old Tunnicliffe who has worked his way through the Academy at Old Trafford and represented England at Under 16 and Under 17 level.
He has made two Capital One Cup appearances for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side since signing a professional contract in the summer of 2010, playing 13 minutes in a 2-1 victory over Newcastle in September and then the final nine minutes of the 5-4 defeat to Chelsea in the next round.
Tunnicliffe’s proper grounding came under Fergie’s son Darren however last season when he spent part of the 2011-2012 campaign at Peterborough United in the Championship, making 26 appearances including the final half an hour of Barnsley’s 4-3 win at London Road in December 2011.
Reds boss Flitcroft told the press he has been chasing Tunnicliffe’s signature for three years.
Tunnicliffe will remain at Oakwell for 28 days and will wear the number 28 shirt.