Elyh Harrison was last season’s Reserve Player of the Year. (Image: Getty)
Exciting young goalkeeper Elyh Harrison has returned to from a loan at Chester FC and will spend the remainder of the season with first team. United believe the 18-year-old has the makings of a future No. 1 and will offer valuable senior experience, alongside academy football, over the coming months.
In August, Harrison joined Chester for his first taste of senior football in the National League North, the sixth tier of English football.
The teenage stopper started 18 league games, conceding just 16 goals and keeping seven clean sheets as he quickly became a fan favourite.
United and Chester share a highly fruitful relationship, and the loan stint has been widely considered a huge success.
“Elyh has been superb for us, and we are really thankful for all his efforts over this first half of the season,” said Chester boss Calum McIntyre in reaction to Harrison’s recall.
“We have been blessed in recent years with some really talented goalkeepers, and it’s worth remembering that Elyh is just 18 years old, becoming the youngest goalkeeper to represent the football club at this level.
“He has shown his immense ability and has a hugely bright future in the game ahead of him. We can be really proud that we were his first taste of senior football.
“We would like to place on record our thanks to those in the Academy at for placing their trust in us to take Elyh over the last five months.
Elyh Harrison has joined the Man Utd first team. (Image: Getty)
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
“From everyone at Chester FC, thank you for all of your efforts and all the very best, Elyh!”
But Amorim wants to take a closer look at Harrison before he likely completes another loan switch to a higher-level club in the summer.
A year after joining from Stevenage Town on a scholarship deal, Harrison signed his first professional contract with United in March 2023.
Last season, he became the second goalkeeper to win the Denzil Haroun Reserve Player of the Year award since its 1990 introduction.
Harrison followed in the footsteps of Darren Fletcher, James Garner, and Alvaro Fernandez and was the youngest recipient since Adnan Januzaj in 2013.
Andre Onana is Amorim’s first-choice goalkeeper, as he was ‘s after landing at Old Trafford from Inter Milan in a £47million move two years ago.
But movement is expected elsewhere in the goalkeeper department this summer, with Altay Bayindir potentially eyeing regular minutes elsewhere.
Tom Heaton is also set to leave the club as a free agent once his contract expires in July, though that may come too soon for Harrison, and a second loan will be the priority.