Manchester United's first January transfer decision is sign of major revamp in key department

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Teenage goalkeeper Elyh Harrison will get a taste of the first-team environment at Manchester United between now and the end of the season, and although next season is likely to come too soon to establish himself in the squad, there could be vacancies opening up in that group.

Harrison, 18, will train with first-team goalkeepers Andre Onana, Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton, and play for United's Under-21s in Premier League 2 in the second half of the season. The England youth international excelled on loan at Chester City in the first half of the season and could spend next term on loan at a higher level.

It is a good time to be a young goalkeeper at Carrington, given the potential turnover in that department at the end of this season and the fact United's tight budget could well be earmarked to fill other positions.

Onana is the club's undisputed No. 1, and he has faced no competition from Bayindir since they joined from Inter Milan and Fenerbahce in the summer of 2023. Onana has had spells where he has been outstanding since his £47m move from the Serie A side, but he hasn't dispelled every question about his suitability for the role.

United are yet to see the best of his distribution and although he has shown how good he can be with spectacular double saves against Crystal Palace and Fenerbahce this season, there are still mistakes in his game.

However, he has faced little pressure from Bayindir, who has made just three first-team appearances and is set to push for an exit to play first-team football this summer. The 26-year-old last played in the Carabao Cup quarter-final defeat to Tottenham when he was at fault for two of Spurs' four goals.

United snapped the Turkey international up because of his low £4.2m release clause, but when he has played, he hasn't looked up to the required standards and has given Onana an easy ride. His chances of regular first-team football under Ruben Amorim are non-existent.

The third member of the senior goalkeeping group is Tom Heaton, who turns 39 in April. Heaton's contract expires at the end of this season, and he is mulling over whether to continue his playing career. He became a valuable dressing-room figure in his second spell at Old Trafford.

He played for the Under-21s against Barnsley in the EFL Trophy in August but hasn't made a first-team appearance in almost two years. However, his work in training alongside Onana and Bayindir has been valuable, as has his experience and leadership during a difficult period for the club.

However, a departure this summer remains a strong possibility, and it could leave United looking for two goalkeepers for Amorim's first-team squad. The head coach might be keen to recruit a No. 2 who can provide stiffer competition to Onana.

Like most other Premier League clubs, United have recruited an experienced, home-grown player as third-choice goalkeeper, with Heaton following Lee Grant into the role. With their budget still affected by the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), a similar deal could follow, with a veteran goalkeeper likely to be targeted on a free transfer.

Amorim and his recruitment team will have plenty of gaps to fill in the United squad this summer, but a turnover in the goalkeeping group is already inevitable.

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