Man United intend sending scouts to U20 World Cup to look at Flying Eagles goalkeeper

ENGLISH Premier League giants Manchester United plan sending scouts to the Fifa U20 World Cup which kicks off in Chile this weekend to go and watch Nigerian goalkeeping sensation Ebenezer Harcourt with a view to signing him.

Harcourt, 15, made history earlier this year when he became the youngest Nigerian international after starting and keeping a clean sheet in the team's African Nations Championship win over Congo. Harcourt, who plays for Sporting Lagos Football Academy in Lagos, was subsequently invited to the Super Eagles camp for the recent World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa by head coach Eric Chelle.

Already being monitored by several European clubsides, Harcourt's most defining moment came in the quarter-final of the U20 African Cup of Nations tournament against Senegal, where he saved two penalties in the shootout, leading the Flying Eagles to the semi-finals, securing Nigeria’s place at the U20 World Cup. His performance did not just win the match, it earned Harcourt admiration from scouts and fans.

Ineos, the new owners of Manchester United, are keen on recruiting some of the world's best youngsters at the forthcoming U20 World Cup. Aware of the club's problems, Ineos have  long-term plans to win the English Premier League by 2028, and signing young stars is a strategy designed to fix the club's terrible recruitment record over the past decade.

Man United’s scouts have been tasked with finding the next set of wonderkids, with Harcourt seen as the future top goalkeeper. Mexican midfielder Gilberto Mora, 16, is also on Man United’s radar but he is one of the most talked about young players in the world and has interest from almost every major club in Europe and beyond.

In Ruben Amorim, Man United have a head coach who has shown plenty of trust in youth. In Portugal, he gave 27 debuts to Sporting Lisbon youngsters when he was manager there, believing in academy players.