The international break must have given Ruben Amorim precious time to take a step back and analyse the holistic picture of his time at Manchester United so far.
There have been first-team debuts, up-and-down results, and some hopes of a bright future mixed with extreme lows where he coined it the worst Man Utd side in history!
Ultimately, hope has superseded the lows and the next season promises even more, especially with the academy looking in good shape.
In that vein, United academy coach Tommy Lee has hinted that Ruben Amorim could soon have a new first-team player for himself.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Man Utd U21 coach Tommy Lee on Elyh Harrison
Amorim hasn’t shied away from throwing in the youngsters, even though that is partly down to being left with no choices as injuries hammered his depth.
Ayden Heaven is a star, Chido Obi has looked good in small doses, and Harry Amass has also made his debut for the club.
One player who makes the first-team squad with remarkable consistency but hasn’t managed to debut yet for the first-team is Elyh Harrison.
The academy goalkeeper has been used to fill the bench this season after being recalled from a successful Chester loan for six months.
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In an interview with Man Utd website, United academy coach Tommy Lee hinted that the loan move has helped Harrison immensely and he’s now able to cope in a senior dressing room.
He said: “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.
“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.
“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.”
Elyh Harrison should have Dean Henderson-like trajectory
While Harrison impressed at Chester, it was a non-league side so the next step for him shouldn’t be directly as a Man Utd backup.
That’s way too big a jump in a position as important as the one between the sticks. In Dean Henderson, he already has the ideal profile to follow.
Henderson started similarly in the lower leagues and impressed every step of the way en route to Premier League football, eventually staking a claim to become United’s No. 1 as well.
Today, he’s an established PL goalkeeper and has been called up to the national side as well, something which Harrison has the talent for as well.
Another six-month loan, this time at a football league side should do him a world of good as he progresses through the ranks and gets precious senior football minutes.