Manchester United have completed the signing of a goalkeeper in the aftermath of the January transfer window to bolster their youth ranks
Michael Carrick celebrates after a Manchester United game
Man United have made a signing(Image: Justin Setterfield, Getty Images)
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Manchester United have secured the signing of young goalkeeper Solomon Honor for their academy. The promising shot-stopper has been snapped up from Championship side Blackburn Rovers and is set to join the club's under-21s squad.
Honor, who previously played for Manchester City's academy before moving to Blackburn in his teenage years, has made six appearances for Blackburn's under-21s this season. The 19-year-old is expected to serve as a training goalkeeper, providing support during sessions.
United have a history of utilising training goalkeepers to aid both their first-team and academy squads.
Stephen Torpey took over as head of United's academy last summer following Nick Cox's departure. Luke Fedorenko, formerly head of academy recruitment, also announced his exit shortly after Cox. Torpey joined City in 2014 and gradually climbed the ranks within their academy, eventually becoming the head of coaching for the Under-15 to Under-23 age groups, where he oversaw several trophy victories.
United's under-21s currently sit at the top of the Premier League 2 table. Travis Binnion recently moved up to work with the first team, paving the way for Adam Lawrence to return to the club to manage the under-21s.
Lawrence led United's Under-18s to a treble in the 2023/24 season, clinching two trophies at the expense of rivals City. He is now tasked with aiding the under-21s' development for the remainder of the campaign.
Michael Carrick has been unafraid to utilise the academy to help first-team preparations in the early stages of his time in charge. Wonderkid JJ Gabriel was called up to training for the first time under Carrick this week.
The 15-year-old has impressed with his academy performances and has started in both of United's FA Youth Cup wins this season, despite being up to three years younger than some of his opponents.
Jason Wilcox and Stephen Torpey
Stephen Torpey is in charge of the Man United academy under Jason Wilcox(Image: Ash Donelon, Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Gabriel has 14 goals in 19 games for the Under-18s in the league this campaign and has taken part in a handful of first-team training sessions already. Ruben Amorim previously called on the teenager before he was sacked.
Under-18s manager and ex-interim United boss Darren Fletcher previously said that the hype around the teenager is 'deserved'. "JJ is a fantastic talent," he said.
"I've enjoyed working with him immensely, getting to know him. He's a young lad with a massive sort of hype, you know there's a lot of noise around him and deservedly so because he's a real talented kid.
"He works hard. First thing I'd say is he loves football. He loves training, he loves playing, he loves having the ball, he loves expressing himself. He makes fantastic decisions."
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