“Able to cope…” Man Utd coach suggests Academy star could replace departing Rúben Amorim player next season

One Manchester United coach has suggested that an Academy star may have what it takes to replace one of Rúben Amorim’s potentially departing players next season.

While Rúben Amorim is very much concerned with getting Manchester United through the rest of what has been a tough 2024/25 campaign, the club have been putting down roots for the future.

Several of the club’s recent transfers have been for young players, with teenagers Chido Obi, Sekou Kone, and Ayden Heaven some of the highlights in recent months.

The club have also spent the last few years developing high-level talents such as Harry Amass, Toby Collyer, and James Scanlon, who have all been tipped for potential futures at Old Trafford.

Amid the development of many young stars across the club’s Academy system, they have also been making full use of the English loan system, with many young players gaining vital experience across United’s lower leagues.

How Harrison has benefited from Chester loan

At the beginning of the 2024/25 campaign, it was confirmed that United Academy goalkeeper Elyh Harrison had departed on loan for the season to non-league club Chester in order for the player to gain vital first-team experience.

The club recalled Harrison in January following a string of fantastic performances in goal, although United U21s goalkeeping coach Tommy Lee explained the few months the 19-year-old had at Chester was vital for his development.

“I think, where Elyh is concerned, he was at a stage probably in his development where he needed that senior experience,” Lee explained told club media. “Especially for the goalkeepers, I think the non-league system provides opportunities because it’s difficult to get keepers out on loan in the league. The National League and the National League North provide a different opportunity, a different challenge.

“In Elyh’s case, it was the challenge he needed at that time. He was playing really well for the Under-21s but needed a different challenge and perhaps it was more psychological and social as well.

“Going to Chester, a really well-run football club, as far as I can tell, and working for a manager [Calum McIntyre] who was formerly at the club and a really good manager, and Neil [Ebbrell], the goalkeeping coach, who knows the game. So it was a really good one to start his senior career off, if you like.

“It’s a different kind of pressure. We can provide a challenge in the Academy system but to go to a senior team, like I say, their manager isn’t necessarily focused on development. He needs to win games.

“There is perceived pressure of making a mistake and maybe not playing the game after. There is playing in front of a crowd, dealing when the atmosphere can get a bit tense, and it’s something we can’t provide in Academy football.”

Harrison could replace departing Amorim player

Further, Lee explained that in Harrison’s particular case, the teenager was able to gain vital experience as a social part of senior men’s football, which has allowed him to come leaps and bounds with respect to his confidence and assertiveness in goal – two key traits goalkeepers must have to succeed.

“From the social side of things, I think that was a really big one for him as well,” Lee addesd. “Being able to cope in a senior dressing room and also perform. Their team-mates just want a goalkeeper who is going to help them win on a Saturday. And that brings its own challenge as well.

“I think the one thing we’ve probably noticed in this specific case was he was more assertive after a period of time and, when we reviewed games with him and he did his analysis with the first team, he was definitely a lot more assertive and more confident in himself, when talking about the game.

“You know that’s just a little thing but it will be really important as Elyh progresses through and gets to where we think his talent can take him.”

With Lee explainingt hat Harrison has grown immensely in the last year, there is a real chance that the goalkeeper may be given the chance to replace Altay Bayındır as André Onana’s second-choice this summer.

Read More: Manchester United ‘looking to sign’ Golden Boy midfield target for Rúben Amorim this summer

Although reports have stated that Amorim wants to sign a new keeper this summer, with current second-choice Bayındır possibly on the move following a lack of game time, Harrison will have his chance.

Bayındır and Tom Heaton have been unavailable due to injury for a sustained period, meaning Harrison has been involved in first-team activities on multiple occasions, being spotted in training and included on the bench of a few fixtures.

The 19-year-old will likely embark on United’s pre-season tour this summer, and this will provide Harrison with a real opportunity to impress Amorim and stake his claim to the permanent reserve spot behind Onana from next season onward.

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