Manchester United's first January transfer decision is sign of major revamp in key department

Teenage goalkeeper Elyh Harrison will get a taste of the first-team environment at Manchester United between now and the end of the season, and although next season is likely to come too soon to establish himself in the squad, there could be vacancies opening up in that group.

Harrison, 18, will train with first-team goalkeepers Andre Onana, Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton, and play for United's Under-21s in Premier League 2 in the second half of the season. The England youth international excelled on loan at Chester City in the first half of the season and could spend next term on loan at a higher level.

It is a good time to be a young goalkeeper at Carrington, given the potential turnover in that department at the end of this season and the fact United's tight budget could well be earmarked to fill other positions.

Onana is the club's undisputed No. 1, and he has faced no competition from Bayindir since they joined from Inter Milan and Fenerbahce in the summer of 2023. Onana has had spells where he has been outstanding since his £47m move from the Serie A side, but he hasn't dispelled every question about his suitability for the role.

United are yet to see the best of his distribution and although he has shown how good he can be with spectacular double saves against Crystal Palace and Fenerbahce this season, there are still mistakes in his game.

However, he has faced little pressure from Bayindir, who has made just three first-team appearances and is set to push for an exit to play first-team football this summer. The 26-year-old last played in the Carabao Cup quarter-final defeat to Tottenham when he was at fault for two of Spurs' four goals.

United snapped the Turkey international up because of his low £4.2m release