Among the many loans sanctioned on deadline day by Manchester United, the departure of Elyh Harrison holds particular importance.
That is because Elyh Harrison was the standout player for the reserve team last year, winning the Denzil Haroun Reserve Team Player of the Year award.
Despite being just 18, he turned in match-winning performances throughout last season as the academy group went on to win three trophies.
Harrison was off to Chester for his first spell in senior football, walking in the footsteps of Dean Henderson, who went to sixth-division Stockport County in 2016 for a similar spell.
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He has now made his debut with Chester FC and it sends Ineos a clear message.
Elyh Harrison’s Chester debut
The on-loan Manchester United goalkeeper made his first-team debut just a day after joining his new team in the National League North.
Chester FC were up against Peterborough Sports in a league game, Chester’s sixth, having won just two of their previous five.
Harrison was installed as the No. 1 straight upon arrival and it seemed to galvanise the whole unit as the team coasted to a 3-0 victory.
Chester singled out Harrison afterward, congratulating him for keeping a clean sheet on his debut, thus making a perfect start to his spell at his new club.
Harrison can send Ineos clear message
There is much to be excited about Harrison’s loan spell and follow it closely because of all the prospects who have been sent on loan, his ceiling looks the highest.
Radek Vitek has started off well at BW Linz, while Joe Hugill has had a nightmare at Wigan, but Harrison, despite being in sixth division, has shown superstar potential.
His ability on the ball combined with his deceptively good shot-stopping skills make him an ideal modern goalkeeper.
With United’s goalkeeping department looking set for an overhaul next season beyond the No. 1 spot, there could be an unexpected opening.
Altay Bayindir could look for a first-choice berth elsewhere, while Tom Heaton is a mere ambassadorial presence in the dressing room now.
Therefore, it could be a straight shootout next season between Vitek and Harrison to become Onana’s backup next season.
Vitek is probably leading that race by quite a big margin, and a loan to a higher-division side a la Henderson, could be in Harrison’s future.
However, if he keeps up his debut performance and carries it throughout the season, then United might not have a choice but to fast-track him to keep challenging him.
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