Manchester United are reportedly set to battle local rivals Manchester City in the pursuit of 20-year-old New York City starlet Jack Harrison.
According to The Sun, Manchester United and Manchester City are both interested in New York City ace Jack Harrison. The 20-year-old Englishman has been a part of the United academy setup earlier. But, it seems the Red Devils are behind their neighbours in the pursuit of the youngster.
Due to the ongoing tie-up between New York City and Manchester City, the Citizens will have first refusal on the player, should the MLS outfit decide to negotiate the 20-year-old’s sale, which puts the blue half of Manchester at an advantage over their neighbours.
“City are hearing positive things from the execs in New York and that Harrison is an exciting late bloomer. City will have first dibs on Harrison at New York if he continues his rapid progress. It’s sure to rub United up the wrong way after what happened to him as a kid. He’s having a great time over in the US,” a source as quoted by The Sun.
Jack Harrison was a part of the United academy setup up until the age of 14, when he decided to leave the youth ranks citing the fact that he did not see a future for himself at the club. And the player then tried his luck in Massachusetts four years ago, with much success.
Jack Harrison’s NYCFC career:
4,499 minutes played
57 appearances
51 starts
14 goals
10 assistsWelcome to the England U21 squad! pic.twitter.com/YvQvL0eTug
— Scouted Football (@ScoutedFtbl) October 2, 2017
The young winger has been a revelation at the MLS club, who have marked the player as a late bloomer and are excited about his future prospects. Harrison has even been called up to the England Under-21 squad for the first time in his career during the present international break.
Harrison has been on a tear on the right flank for New York City, with 10 goals and 3 assists in 32 MLS outings this season proof of his form and progress. And as he prepares to represent the Under-21 national side for the first time ever, there is a growing certainty and excitement around his talent.
With United and City both taking a closer look at the player, Harrison would hope to return to England some day, be it at either club or someplace else. But, he took a bold step by venturing to the United States to prove his talent and it seems it is starting to pay off dividends.
