Nigerian teenage goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt has attracted serious interest from Manchester United, with the English Premier League club set to monitor his performances at the ongoing FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile. The 15-year-old shot-stopper, who is the first-choice keeper for Nigeria’s Flying Eagles, will be under close observation by top scouts from the Red Devils throughout the tournament.
Harcourt’s rapid rise began earlier this year when he debuted for the Home-based Super Eagles during the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Zanzibar. His impressive form subsequently earned him a spot in the senior national team’s provisional squad for World Cup qualifiers. The young goalkeeper previously made history with Sporting Lagos, helping them win the Gothia Cup in Sweden, and his performances at the 2025 U-20 AFCON in Egypt earned him a place in CAF’s Best XI. Manchester United’s interest comes as current keeper Andre Onana remains on loan at Trabzonspor. The club is also reportedly tracking 16-year-old Derby County goalkeeper Charlie Hardy.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian U-20 team has arrived in Talca, Chile, ahead of their Group F matches against Norway, Saudi Arabia, and Colombia. The two-time World Cup runners-up are preparing for the tournament that kicks off on September 27th.
In a separate development, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has denied plans to amend its statutes at the Annual General Assembly scheduled to begin in Ibadan. In a statement, the NFF’s Director of Communication, Dr. Ademola Olajire, clarified that while a workshop will be held with FIFA and CAF officials to discuss potential statutory reforms, no voting or amendments will occur at the assembly. The Federation emphasized its commitment to a transparent process aimed at establishing robust statutes to strengthen football governance in Nigeria.
