Manchester United are looking to seal a deal for Derby County’s Charlie Hardy.
The Peoples Person can exclusively reveal that United have identified the England u16s youth international as a key target for the academy this summer.
A tall figure despite being just 15, Hardy has already featured for Derby’s u18s four times last season, including against Leeds United where he wore the armband as he kept a clean sheet.
Derby finished the u18s Premier League North season in fourth place, speaking to Hardy’s ability to be able to breakthrough into the side at just 15.
The youngster’s talent has caught the eye across the country and he has received a regular call-up for England’s u16s in the past year.
His performances on the international stage have seen him keep a clean sheet against Ukraine and further wins over Denmark and Italy.
Interestingly, Hardy has trained with United’s own Darlington Osuchukwu at England camps, with both called up for England u16s in February.
Despite being just a few months apart in age and in the same age group internationally, England’s use of the school year as the divider of age groups leaves Osuchukwu as an u16 at club level while Hardy will be an u17, leaving enough room for both to battle it out.
With United’s regular u18s keeper Will Murdock stepping into the u21s next season, the number one shirt is up for grabs in the younger category, which will no doubt be mentioned as Hardy is enticed to Old Trafford.
This won’t be the first time United have looked to Derby for talent, having previously snapped up James Scanlon in 2021.
If United can seal the deal, Hardy will join Harley Emsden-James as new signings for the incoming u18s class after the latter sealed a move from Southampton.
United’s list of first year scholars stepping up from the u16s is expected to be announced soon, with the players taking part in the yearly scholarship signing night recently.
Featured image Christopher Furlong via Getty Images
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Colm Murphy
A football obsessed Canadian who moved to England to enjoy the beautiful game. Colm has been keen follower of Manchester United’s famed academy since seeing a fresh faced Adnan Januzaj for the club’s u18s and has been writing about football with a focus on youth development for over 10 years.
