Manchester United have handed Stevenage’s teenage defender Ryan Johnson a trial at Carrington, after becoming the club’s youngest ever player.

The 18-year-old started his career with fellow Premier League side West Bromwich Albion, but decided to leave the Hawthorns at the start of last season to progress his career with Stevenage.

He then broke into the Boro first team earlier this season, and making three appearances for the League Two outfit, caught the eye of Manchester United scouts who have decided to test his ability at Carrington ahead some of the country’s brightest talents.

Becoming Stevenage’s youngest ever debutant at the age of 17 years and 215 days, he was briskly handed a professional contract with the club a year deal after joining on a scholarship deal, making his debut in May.

Spending a week with the Manchester club, Johnson will hope to impress first team manager Louis van Gaal, who has been noted for handing opportunities to youth stars, including Tyler Blackett, Patrick McNair and Tom Thorpe.

Johnson most recently featured in a 3-0 defeat to Carlisle in League Two.

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About the author
Kane Brooker
Kane is an 18-year-old Sports Journalist who predominantly covers Manchester United FC while having a heavy involvement in the Boxing office. Having joined the VAVEL team back in October 2014, he has previously featured for Sky Sports News while writing regularly for The Non-League Paper. Kane is also the club reporter, programme editor and press and communications officer for Walton Casuals Football Club.