Manchester United and Manchester City are tracking New York City FC star Jack Harrison, according to reports in England. The 20-year-old Englishman has recently been called up to the England under-21 squad after a stellar season in Major League Soccer.
Who is Jack Harrison?
A former Manchester United academy player, Harrison and his family re-located to the United States when he was 14. From there, Harrison rose through local clubs and played at the University of Wake Forest. In his one year playing football at the university, Harrison was voted National Player of the Year after scoring eight goals in 22 games.
Harrison was drafted number one overall in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft by New York City and has had a rapid rise to success. After getting his feet wet as a professional in 2016 alongside Frank Lampard, David Villa and Andrea Pirlo, Harrison has come into his own this term. He has notched 10 goals in 32 games.
Jack Harrison’s Future
After his call up to the England U-21 side for their Euro 2019 qualifiers, speculation has grown Harrison maybe courted by his former club Manchester United or Manchester City. City Football Group own the New York City MLS franchise, which means the team could easily nab Harrison from their satellite team.
Of course, Manchester United could make a play for the ex-academy kid, but whether he would fit in at either club is debatable.
Writer’s take
Harrison has been outstanding for New York City. The team have a legitimate chance of lifting the MLS Cup at the conclusion of league’s playoffs in December. However, a move to either Manchester club seems a bit far-fetched. Harrison is a quality player, but whether he can translate that to a big stage with the Red Devils or City is doubtful.
His call up to the under-21 team is a great advert for young English players to go to North America to develop. However, he seems more like the kind of player who would fit in with a mid-table side. That is, if he can earn a move to England. There is no word on how long his current MLS contract is; but it is likely New York City, and MLS as a league, will resist selling him.
Many MLS stars that leave do so on free transfers.
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