Club release statement as Manchester United make loan decision on 'immense' teenager

Chester FC have thanked Manchester United after they recalled teenage goalkeeper Elyh Harrison from his successful loan spell with the club.

Harrison, 18, joined the National League North side in the summer and kept nine clean sheets in 23 appearances for the club, leaving the club just one point off the play-off places at the halfway stage.

The teenager learned a lot from his first proper taste of competitive football and is expected to be sent out on another loan higher up the football pyramid for the second half of the season. Harrison signed his first professional contract with United in March 2023, a year after he joined from Stevenage Town.

An official club statement on the Chester FC website thanked the United goalkeeper for his contribution, while manager Calum McIntyre added: “Elyh has been superb for us, and we are really thankful for all his efforts over this first half of the season.

“We have been blessed in recent years with some really talented goalkeepers and it’s worth remembering that Elyh is just 18 years old, becoming the youngest goalkeeper to represent the football club at this level. He has shown his immense ability and has a hugely bright future in the game ahead of him. We can be really proud that we were his first taste of senior football.

“We would like to place on record our thanks to those in the Academy at Manchester United for placing their trust in us to take Elyh over the last five months.” The statement ended: "From everyone at Chester FC, thank you for all of your efforts and all the very best, Elyh!"