There comes a point in any Manchester United youngster's career when they reach a crossroads.

With playing time at a premium at Old Trafford there often comes a time when a player must choose to persist with Reserve level football or take the leap into the lower leagues.

A number of young hopefuls did just that in the January transfer window as they temporarily departed United in an effort to bolster their chances of success upon return.

Someone like Jesse Lingard will be a role model to them, the England international eventually broke into the first-team set-up at United following a string of loan moves away from the club.

However, there will also be a few looking to emulate Kieran O'Hara. A highly rated goalkeeper who is currently on-loan to Macclesfield as he looks to achieve his ultimate dream of making it at United.

It is a route often touted for the likes of Angel Gomes and Tahith Chong. Two of the hottest talents in the club's academy, but also raw prodigies who would surely benefit from the exposure of competitive men's football.

There is still plenty of time for them at United, in fact the club blocked a number of unspecified loan moves just last month, but if they fail to break into the first-team next season, then they might want to look and emulate someone like O'Hara.

Not only has the move to Macclesfield rewarded O'Hara with regular first-team football but it has also cast him into the limelight for an impressive sponsorship deal to promote Tom Clancy’s The Division 2.

O'Hara has been named as one of six EFL ambassadors for the video game, and speaking during its launch the 22-year-old told fellow United youngsters to consider following his path temporarily away from the club.

"In my case it has helped me a lot to develop me not only as a player, but as a person," O'Hara told MEN Sport. "I would definitely encourage any young player to go out on loan and prove themselves.

Ubisoft Entertainment has shunned Premier League and International footballers to sign six EFL League Two footballers as ambassadors for Tom Clancy’s The Division 2. Matt Taylor (Swindon Town), Kieran O’Hara (Macclesfield Town), Callum Brittain (MK Dons), George Ray (Crewe Alexandra), Omar Sowunmi (Yeovil Town) and Robbie Simpson (MK Dons) have all been signed up from league two to join the ever-growing and diverse community of Division players ahead of the game’s Private Beta launch.

"They need to learn the trade at another club and give themselves regular game time. I believe that not only the more you play the better you will get, but the quicker you are going to develop.

"It will help me reach the level that I want to reach, and will have me develop so that I can play at the highest level."

There is often a reluctance from some young players to leave the comfort of playing Reserve level football at a top Premier League side. However, O'Hara believes this fear holds some youth prospects back and that United are still extremely interested in the progress of any player who leaves on loan.

O'Hara continued: "There is feedback from coaches and a system in place at Manchester United.

"The goalkeeper coaches there have been in close contact and I still go in from time to time and do a few training sessions with them. They are really good in my case, obviously Macclesfield is quite close so it is quite easy to go in and keep on top of my training.

"I get regular phone calls from my coach speaking about different things. It is fantastic, it makes you feel like there is someone at the club who cares and someone who is relaying your development on to those who it concerns.

"United keep close tabs with all of the loan players, I am in regular contact with the loan manager, they video analyse the games and they give me regular feedback. They keep on top of my performances and anything else they can help me with that I can develop with is fantastic."

For any young goalkeeper there is no better role model than David de Gea, someone who the 22-year-old O'Hara is honoured to have worked alongside at club level.

Sam Johnstone, David De Gea and Kieran O'Hara look on during a United training session on the eve of their Europa League match against Feyenoord.

O'Hara's own dreams of regular Premier League football at United might be affected by the Spaniard's standing in the first-team, however the Irish youth international believes working with De Gea can only help him achieve his ambition of playing at the highest level.

"He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world, so to be at the same club as him is one of the advantages, it has done massive things for me.

"It is a real positive that you can learn from someone like that in such close quarters.

"(Playing in the Premier League) is always going to be my ambition. I've already had a few loan spells so hopefully that will help as stepping stones, but will also help my development and aid me in my career to get there.

"Obviously I wouldn't be doing what I am doing now if I didn't believe that one day I will be playing in the Premier League."

Tom Clancy’s The Division 2 Open Beta runs from 1 March to 4 March 2019. For further details about the Beta, please visit: www.thedivisiongame.com/faq/beta