Manchester United sign highly-rated 15-year-old Waterford defender

One for the future.

Manchester United's links with Ireland have been further strengthened after the capture of a highly-rated Irish underage international. Old Trafford has confirmed that Ireland U16 captain, and Waterford native Lee O'Connor, has signed forms with the club, and will move from Villa F.C in July. The full-back will be following in the footsteps of Paul McShane and Robbie Brady who previously featured for Manchester United's youth sides. Attacking full-back O'Connor is also the first Waterford-born player to join Manchester United since John O'Shea in 1998. There is currently only one other Irish player in the Manchester United academy at present, with James Dunne part of the U18 outfit coached by Nicky Butt. O'Connor will be one of the youngest players to feature for Butt's team next season, and was named Ireland's Under-15 Player of the Year last year, receiving his award from Seamus Coleman. https://twitter.com/WaterfordSport/status/722419313882357760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw