Manager hopes to gain from positive loans.
Paul Dickov has spoken of his desire to keep alive the positive relationship between Doncaster Rovers and Manchester United.
Rovers took two players from Old Trafford on loan last season with both Federico Macheda and Sam Johnstone considered successful by all parties concerned in their time at the Keepmoat Stadium and the Rovers manager has said that can “bode well for the future”.
“They were happy with how their players were treated by everyone in the Club,” said Dickov.
“If we need to go back there in the future, having those two players come here already will help us.”
The form of Johnstone, in particular, didn’t go unnoticed and the commanding goalkeeper was rewarded for his impressive performances between the sticks for Rovers with a call up to the England under-21’s set up.
“I don’t think his call up to the under-21’s was a surprise,” Dickov said.
“I know that Gareth (Southgate) and the scouts were down here a lot watching Sam.
“Sam’s a top keeper, we said that when we had him, I think everybody realised that when they watched him play and they’ll realise the potential he’s got and how good he’s going to be.
“Manchester United were delighted with the progress that he made while he was here and that bodes well for the future.”
While the hierarchy at United has changed in recent months to Holland boss Louis van Gaal – who takes charge of the Dutch against Spain in Group B of the World Cup tonight – Dickov is only too keen to build and maintain strong ties.
“We try and create relationships with other clubs and take time out to go and see them and meet them,” he said.
“We watch them train and try and get a rapport going so they understand what is going on here – definitely having Johnstone and Macheda here has helped.”