Northern Ireland links behind Portadown’s Manchester United transfer

The Ports’ loan move for 19-year-old United goalkeeper Jacob Carney arrived thanks to connections between manager Matthew Tipton and the Manchester’ giants’ head of Academy goalkeeping, Alan Fettis.

Fettis, who won his last senior international cap in 1998, was highlighted as Tipton confirmed the capture of the shot-stopper.

“I’m very pleased to get Jacob in on loan from Manchester United,” said Tipton on the club’s official website. “We have felt that we wanted to strengthen the goalkeeper department and through my connections with Alan Fettis at Manchester United we were offered Jacob.

“After watching his videos we had no hesitation in taking him in.

“Jacob has had experience playing in the rough and tumble of non-league in England, which was a massive positive for us.

“I must place on record my thanks to all at Manchester United for helping this move go through so smoothly.”

Carney has been on the books at United since the age of 16 years old and made his debut with the under 23s last January.

Carney’s progress has included selection for United first-team warm weather training camps.

Having signed a professional contract at United in May 2020, Carney can draw on previous loan spells with Stockbridge Park Steels and Brighouse Town.

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