Attacking midfielder Ben Marshall returned to United for a second six-month loan spell in August 2010 which was later extended until the end of the 2010/11 season.

Salford-born Marshall began his career with his boyhood heroes Manchester United, joining the club at the age of 7. He stayed with the Red Devils until the age of 14 when he decided to switch Dario Gradi's Crewe Alexandra academy.

He impressed while at the Railwaymen and in 2009, after completing his youth scholarship, was offered a professional deal by the club.

Ben opted to turn down the offer from Crewe and instead made the short trip down the A500 to sign for Premier League side Stoke City along with fellow Alex academy graduate Matthew Lund.

After impressing in several pre-season fixtures for the Potters, he was allowed to go out on-loan in August 2009 to League Two side Northampton Town in order to gain first team experience. He impressed Cobblers fans and management during his three month stay at Sixfields, scoring 2 goals in 15 first team appearances.

Upon his return to the Britannia Stadium in November, he was promptly sent out for another loan spell, this time at another League Two side in Cheltenham Town. His stay with the Robins was shorter but equally impressive, grabbing two goals in six appearances.

He returned to Stoke determined to force his way into the first team but despite being included in the squad for the trip to Aston Villa in January 2010, was unable to find a way into a team that was performing impressively in the Premier League.

At the end of the January transfer window in 2010, he signed for United on-loan until the end of the season. He made his debut in a 2-1 defeat at Colchester and grabbed his first goal for the club in his second game, an 83rd minute equaliser away to high-flying Huddersfield Town.

Playing on either wing or just behind a front-two in an advanced midfield role, Marshall impressed with his high energy performances and pace. He went on to make 20 league appearances and score 3 goals for the Blues, but was left frustrated when he missed out on the chance to play at Wembley in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final against Southampton after being cup-tied due to playing for Northampton Town earlier in the tournament.

He returned to Stoke in the summer but United made clear to Potters chief Tony Pulis their interest in taking the Mancunian youngster on another loan spell. After assessing him during pre-season, Pulis was happy to let Marshall come back to Cumbria on-loan in order to gain further experience.

After an impressive first half of the season, he returned to the Britannia Stadium to sign a new contract with the Potters before rejoining United on-loan until the end of the season.

On-loan from Stoke City until the summer of 2011.

Ben is sponsored by Aidan Wharton from Jersey.

For more details on our Player and Coaching Staff sponsors for the 2010/11 season, click here.