Manchester United have recalled yet another loanee from her stint away from the club, with Lucy Newell the latest star to return to the Red Devils.
Lucy Newell returns from loan
After just under six months away from Manchester, Lucy Newell has returned to United.
The 19-year-old spent the first half of this season on loan with Birmingham City in the Championship.
Newell left United on loan in search of more game time but the teenager struggled for minutes in WSL2.
During her stint with the Blues, Newell featured only twice in the Championship with just one start to her name in the first half of the campaign.
The teenager also got two starts in the League Cup but with Birmingham eliminated before Christmas, Newell’s game time looked likely to drop once again.
As a result of their star struggling for game time on loan, United have recalled Newell in January.
ℹ️ Young defender Lucy Newell has been recalled from her loan spell at Birmingham City. pic.twitter.com/mI4g6lsOh1
— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) January 14, 2026
The United academy graduate has already spent two different spells out in the Championship with different teams and she could be sent out again before the January window closes.
It is unlikely that Newell would be sent away to another WSL club and the teenage star may return to WSL2 before long.
Manchester United recalling loanees
Newell isn’t the only star to be recalled from her loan by Manchester United.
The club has already cut Kiera Barry and Evie Rabjohn’s time at Sunderland short in the January window.
Emma Watson also returned to Manchester after spending the first half of the season with Crystal Palace.
United have been very busy in the transfer window but it isn’t just loan deals the club have been doing.
Bayern Munich striker Lea Schuller joined the top four hopefuls at the start of the window in their best piece of business so far in 2026.
United will look to bounce back from a stalemate against Arsenal this weekend with an FA Cup fourth round tie against local rivals Burnley.
