Man Utd close in on first January transfer deal after fending off Arsenal interest

Callan McKenna, the goalkeeper for the Scotland Under-19 team, is expected to complete his transfer to Manchester United in the coming days. Erik ten Hag claims the FA Cup match against Wigan was just about winning.

Manchester United and Scotland Under-19 goalkeeper Callan McKenna are getting closer to a signing.

The Queen’s Park stopper is anticipated to complete his transfer to Old Trafford in the next few days. Should the 17-year-old meet a number of performance-related add-ons, the Scottish Championship team could receive a seven-figure pay day. Per the Daily Record, the upfront cost will be an undisclosed figure in the six figures.

This season, McKenna participated in seven of Queen’s Park’s games in the second division; however, since late September, the academy graduate has been sidelined with an injury.

Arsenal was one of the other teams keeping a close eye on the goalie, but it appears that United will sign the teenager before their Premier League rivals. If the transfer goes through, he will be a member of United’s Under-23 team.

Erik ten Hag, United’s head coach, conceded that his team should have scored more goals in their victory over Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup third round last night.

Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes both scored goals in the first half to send United into a fourth-round away draw against Newport County or non-League Eastleigh. While acknowledging that the outcome was ultimately important, Ten Hag said his team had enough opportunities to win more easily.

The FA Cup is primarily about victory. It’s over. “Job done” is exactly what I said in the dressing room if we have to replay the tie, which is two games, but you want to finish the job,” he said.

“In the first half, we had five or six excellent opportunities. We should have learned more from that, but even though it was good football, we also needed to maintain focus when we weren’t scoring.

Callan McKenna in action for Scotland’s Under-17 side against Wales last year.

Even though United is a heavy favorite to defeat Eastleigh or Newport and advance to the fifth round, Ten Hag stated it is far too soon to be thinking about winning another trophy at Wembley.

“It seems too far [away], you have to travel from game to game, especially in the cup,” he continued. We accept that, but naturally, our first priority is Spurs [in the Premier League].”

Christian Eriksen, Luke Shaw, and Harry Maguire are all expected to be back for United’s Premier League match against Tottenham on Sunday, despite the club’s long injury list.