Manchester United to complete move for midfielder today

MANCHESTER UNITED are hoping to finalise the sale of Ben Pearson to Preston North End today.

 

The 21-year-old has been at Old Trafford since the age of nine, but has never broken through into the first-team.

However after impressing on two loan spells with League One’s Barnsley over the last two years, Pearson has attracted the attention of Preston.

The Championship side have a long-standing relationship with United and are hoping to continue that trend by sealing a £300,000 deal for the England Under-20 international.

 

Deepdale has long been an early stamping ground for United’s young stars, with even David Beckham playing five games for the club in the 1994-1995 season, while more recently former United boss David Moyes was manager there as was Darren Ferguson, son of club legend Sir Alex.

And according to the Lancashire Evening Post, Simon Grayson’s side are today hoping to conclude what would be the third deal between the two clubs this season: Preston have already loaned goalkeeper Sam Johnstone and forward Will Keane.

Pearson had been targeted by Preston in November 2014, but he was sent on the first of his short-term deals at Barnsley.

 

Louis van Gaal has deemed Pearson surplus to requirements at Old Trafford

 

And now that the Lilywhites appear to have finally got their man, they are keen to wrap up the paperwork today in order to register the player in time for Tuesday night’s game at Bristol City.

Should the deal completed, Pearson will reinforce a midfield that was dominated in Preston’s last game as they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Peterborough United of League One.