Oxford United's summer 2021 signings rated

The U’s added eight players to their first-team squad during the transfer window and some have had better luck than others.

It is still early days, but here is how United’s newest recruits have done so far.

MARCUS MCGUANE

The midfielder’s permanent move from Nottingham Forest in May was seen as a big statement, although he was still recovering from the thigh injury he sustained in January while on loan at United.

The 22-year-old returned in pre-season, but was forced to isolate after a Covid outbreak and it set the tone for a frustrating start to his second spell.

Marcus McGuane Picture: OUFC

McGuane has played just four times and is yet to start in Sky Bet League One, with his most recent appearance coming on August 24 at Queens Park Rangers.

A new thigh injury and, more recently, testing positive for Covid has kept him out since then, but at least he is now back in training.

RYAN WILLIAMS

Another returning for his second spell, the winger joined on a free from Portsmouth and looks a shrewd signing.

Williams started at Cambridge United on the opening day of the season and supplied the cross for Steve Seddon’s goal as part of a lively performance.

Ryan Williams Picture: David Fleming

He was a last-minute deputy for Anthony Forde at right back against Charlton Athletic the following week, but performed excellently and popped up to score the opener that day.

A groin injury against Crewe Alexandra three days later stalled Williams's momentum and he only played once more before September 28, although he looked sharp off the bench against Accrington Stanley and Sheffield Wednesday.

BILLY BODIN

The winger was severely restricted by injuries at former club Preston North End and has faced similar misfortune this season.

Billy Bodin Picture: David Fleming

Bodin showed flashes of class at Burton Albion in the Carabao Cup and against Crewe, only for a freak knee injury in the latter game to rule him out for a month.

Illness has kept him out of United’s last two games, but the 29-year-old’s one-year deal and clear quality meant he was always a low-risk signing.

STEVE SEDDON

The left back is the only summer signing yet to be sidelined by injury or illness – although catching Covid did delay his arrival in July, ironically.

Seddon made up for lost time with some excellent early displays, scoring at Bristol Rovers in a pre-season friendly and again at Cambridge seven days later.

Steve Seddon Picture: Darrell Fisher

His performance levels dipped with United’s form in September, but he remains the only outfield player to not miss a minute in League One.

Seddon is one booking from a one-match suspension though, which would give an insight into the strength of cover at left back.

NATHAN HOLLAND

The winger’s arrival kicked-off an exciting 72 hours at the end of July, with Gavin Whyte and Jordan Thorniley quickly following him into the building.

It is fair to say Holland’s form did not meet expectations in the early weeks of the season, although he did score at Burton Albion in the Carabao Cup and had time out through self-isolation and injury.

Nathan Holland Picture: David Fleming

The West Ham United loanee was left out against Gillingham on September 25, but showed superb character to score twice and claim an assist against Accrington three days later.

Holland followed that with a mature performance at Sheffield Wednesday, so now needs to maintain that level.

GAVIN WHYTE

The Cardiff City loanee is another whose return was greeted with plenty of excitement.

Whyte is yet to score and only has one assist, but has shown glimpses of the talent that has seen him become a Northern Ireland regular.

Gavin Whyte Picture: David Fleming

The 25-year-old has mostly been used off the left, but arguably looked most dangerous behind the strikers at Bolton Wanderers and in a roaming role at QPR.

Whyte has been a regular starter in League One when he has been available, but needs to kick on now he has returned from Covid-enforced isolation.

JORDAN THORNILEY

When it comes to naming United’s most impressive summer signing so far, it is hard to look past the Blackpool loanee.

The Blackpool centre back has been an excellent addition, showing great solidity and composure at the heart of an ever-changing defence.

Jordan Thorniley Picture: Richard Parkes

That was typified by his performance at Hillsborough, when he showed impressive resilience after being laid low with a tooth problem just days earlier.

His reliability raises the question of whether he could move to left back if Seddon is ever unavailable, especially with centre back Luke McNally adapting well to English football.

HERBIE KANE

Karl Robinson was extremely excited by the midfielder’s arrival on loan from Barnsley - and we are starting to see why.

Kane was short of match practice when he joined and had to wait until the defeat at Cheltenham Town on September 18 for his first league start.

Herbie Kane Picture: Richard Parkes

The first time he really shone was the draw with Gillingham seven days later and he is already an integral part of the way United want to play.

Whether as the deeper midfielder or slightly further forward, Kane’s ability with and without the ball gives the U’s plenty of options and he has quickly become an important part of Robinson’s side.