Manchester United are reportedly on the verge of clinching their first signing under Erik ten Hag after agreeing a deal with Stevenage for 16-year-old wonderkid Elyh Harrison.
Ten Hag was confirmed as United's new boss last month and is set to begin his new role once the current Eredivisie campaign concludes in the next few weeks. The 52-year-old has penned a contract until the summer of 2025 with the option for a further year and will be tasked with restoring United's fortunes both on and off the pitch.
Ten Hag is expected to oversee a major cull of United's underperforming squad in the coming months, but the club's transfer business has seemingly begun before the Dutchman's official arrival. According to a new report from talkSPORT, United have struck a six-figure deal with Stevenage to bring Harrison to Old Trafford.
The teenage shot-stopper has impressed in the League Two side's under-18 team this season and is regarded as a hot prospect for the future. Harrison had made rapid progress at the Lamex and was invited to step up to train with the senior team at the age of just 15, but he will now join a star-studded roster of goalkeeper's at Old Trafford.
United have made a habit of snapping up promising shot-stoppers in recent years. They completed a similar deal for former Southend starlet Nathan Bishop – who impressed on loan at Stevenage's League Two rivals Mansfield this season – back in January 2020.
While Harrison has been snapped up as a potential star of the future, it's expected that United will have to make a decision over the long-term future of academy graduate Dean Henderson sooner rather than later.
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Henderson briefly dislodged David de Gea in goal at the end of last season but has been starved of first-team action this year. United prevented the 25-year-old from leaving the club in January – but it's anticipated he will move on in the summer.
According to The Sun, newly-promoted duo Fulham and Bournemouth have both expressed an interest in taking Henderson on loan for the upcoming Premier League campaign. The report outlines that United would be willing to help fund any temporary move by stumping up half of Henderson's current salary.
United are reluctant to sanction a permanent exit for Henderson – who has made just three first-team appearances this season – due to his impressive performances during two separate year-long loan spells at Sheffield United.
