Manchester United's England under-20 international Josh Harrop has signed a new two-year contract with the club as Louis van Gaal tries to make good his promise of giving local academy players a chance.
Harrop, from Stockport, is now set to join Louis van Gaal's squad for their pre-season tour of America which leaves on Monday.
The 19-year-old midfielder is steeped in United tradition and both his parents used to follow the club as supporters home and away.
United fans will hope he can join Mancunian defender Tyler Blackett and James Wilson, who comes from nearby Staffordshire, in maintaining United's tradition of having local players in the first-team.
The famous Class of 92 side boasted Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt who all grew up in or around Manchester while David Beckham also came through the Academy after moving from London.
Van Gaal has consistently said through the club's recent spending spree that he wanted a balance of big-money signings and homegrown players in his squad. Brazil under-20 midfielder Ander Perreira was also given a new deal at the end of last season.
Harrop has played for United in the Uefa Youth League and was a regular member of their Under 21s team last season where his box-to-box performances caught the eye.
Van Gaal may send Harrop on loan at some point next season to gain regular first-team football though that decision could depend if United make progress in The Capital One Cup to add to their fixture list.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...tml?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490
Harrop, from Stockport, is now set to join Louis van Gaal's squad for their pre-season tour of America which leaves on Monday.
The 19-year-old midfielder is steeped in United tradition and both his parents used to follow the club as supporters home and away.
United fans will hope he can join Mancunian defender Tyler Blackett and James Wilson, who comes from nearby Staffordshire, in maintaining United's tradition of having local players in the first-team.
The famous Class of 92 side boasted Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt who all grew up in or around Manchester while David Beckham also came through the Academy after moving from London.
Van Gaal has consistently said through the club's recent spending spree that he wanted a balance of big-money signings and homegrown players in his squad. Brazil under-20 midfielder Ander Perreira was also given a new deal at the end of last season.
Harrop has played for United in the Uefa Youth League and was a regular member of their Under 21s team last season where his box-to-box performances caught the eye.
Van Gaal may send Harrop on loan at some point next season to gain regular first-team football though that decision could depend if United make progress in The Capital One Cup to add to their fixture list.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...tml?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490