Ipswich Town could become victims of their own success when it comes to the loan of Manchester United midfielder Ryan Tunnicliffe.

The 20-year-old has brought real energy and drive to the Blues’ team, forming a good understanding with full-back Aaron Cresswell down the left side.

Town have lost just one of the seven games that Tunnicliffe has started, but his loan spell expires at the end of the year meaning – as it stands – he is available for just 12 more games.

Asked if there were any plans to extend the loan deal until the end of the season, Blues boss Mick McCarthy said: “Talking about that is irrelevant at the moment. The deal was we’ll take him to January and, if it fits, we’d go longer.

“It will come down to whether Tunners is enjoying himself – which he is, he’s loving it – and whether we want him, and we’re certainly loving having him here.

“If the loan can be continued then so be it, but if Man United want to bring him back and play him then so be it. If that happens then we’ve done a good job. We can’t do owt about it until January.”

Bury-born Tunnicliffe grew up a Red Devils fan and says he models his game on United legend Roy Keane.

And having already had loan spells in the Championship at the likes of Peterborough and Barnsley, the all-action midfielder has made no secret of the fact that he wants to use this latest temporary switch as a springboard into the Old Trafford first team squad.

Twice he came off the bench under Sir Alex Ferguson’s management last season, in League Cup matches, while he will take heart from the fact that David Moyes looks keen to continue the club’s tradition of giving academy graduates their chance – Adnan Januzaj making a dream full debut last weekend.

Speaking upon his arrival at Portman Road, Tunnicliffe – who joined United’s youth ranks at the age of nine – said: “I want to play at the highest level I possibly can. The dream would be to do it with United in the Premiership because I’m a United fan.

“David Moyes has said he’s going to look to youth.

“I’ve seen Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck do it and they’re only two or three years older than me, so it shows it can be done.”