COUNTY REEL IN UNITED’S FISH
COUNTY moved to secure the addition of what the club say is a ‘high-profile’ signing at Edgeley Park this week, with Manchester United Under 23 captain, Will Fish, making the move from Old Trafford on a season-long loan.
The England Under-18 international made his top-flight debut for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side against Wolves on the final day of the 2020/21 campaign – but will soon swap the Premier League for the National League when he links up with Simon Rusk’s squad before the start of the new season on August 21.
The 18-year-old centreback is seen as one of the most highly-rated prospects coming through the United academy, after being named in United’s UEFA Youth League squad while still studying at secondary school.
Fish was a regular in United’s U23s squad last season, making 17 ‘Premier League 2’ appearances out of a possible 20 games. He also made a full appearance for the U21s side in a 6-0 thrashing of League Two outfit Salford City in the EFL Trophy.
The Hatters say that Fish will begin training with his new team-mates on the July 30, after representing Manchester United’s first-team in their first round of pre-season fixtures and making a second-half appearance in last week’s 1-2 win at Derby County.
“This is a high profile signing for the club, and we are delighted that both Will and Manchester United have been attracted to what we are doing to the point where they are willing to see us as the next step in his development,” said director of football Simon Wilson.
“Will is going to find different challenges here (than at Old Trafford), but this is important for him and by agreeing to come he shows he has the maturity and mentality to take them head on.”
Fish is likely to join another centre-back in the shape of Accrington Stanley defender Ben Barclay, with the 24-year-old already featuring for the club this pre-season and currently enjoying a successful trial period at Edgeley Park – with stalwarts Ash Palmer and Jamie Stott also options at the back, alongside captain Liam Hogan.
United are believed to have been impressed with manager Simon Rusk’s track record of developing youngsters, with Brighton and England defender Ben White recently crediting Rusk with a ‘major role’ in his progression from Academy prospect to England international at Euro 2020.
“I’m delighted to have Will on board for the upcoming season. We are all really excited to work by his potential and to have the opportunity to work with him and develop his talents,” said Rusk.
“We’d like to thank Manchester United for their help in getting this deal done, and for the trust they’ve placed in us to develop and look after one of their most exciting prospects.”
Meanwhile, winger Tom Walker also arrived back at Edgeley Park this week, as the former Harrogate man penned a oneyear deal with The Hatters after enjoying a six-month loan spell last season.
The permanent move represents a fourth spell with the club for Walker, who first played for The Hatters under former manager Jim Gannon on a short-term deal back in 2017.
A loan spell from Salford followed in the curtailed 2019/20 season, before AFC Fylde pipped County to the permanent signing of Walker.
The former Bolton Wanderers prospect then moved on to League Two side Harrogate following Fylde’s relegation, before returning to Edgeley Park under Rusk for the second half of the 2020/21 season.
Walker made his return in Monday’s ‘behind closed doors’ win over a Brighton Under 23 side on the South Coast, while Fish could be set to feature in County’s penultimate pre-season friendly at Guiseley on August 7.
“You are always encouraged by players with a desire to play for your club – Tom made it clear this summer that he wanted to come back to Stockport County, and has done everything on his side to make that happen.
“He brings a continuity to our group, and will slot back in nicely,” said Wilson.