The two South African keepers at Man United and Manchester City
In the heart of a fierce English Premier League rivalry, South Africa has two budding goalkeepers representing Manchester United and Manchester City.
Elyh Harrison, who recently turned 19, is making a name for himself at Man United, while Thorsten Brits has been elevated to the Man City reserve squad.
Interestingly, their rise comes at a time when there is a notable shortage of young South African goalkeepers in the Betway Premiership. This situation has raised significant concerns among local coaches and the national team coach.
SuperSport United assistant coach Andre Arendse, a national team goalkeeper during his heydays, and Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos have both emphasised this growing issue, warning that it could hurt the future of local football.
FARPost looks at these two goalkeepers representing the Manchester giants and how they have fared for their respective clubs.
ELYH HARRISON – MANCHESTER UNITED
Harrison, whose parents are both South African, sat on the bench during Man United’s 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad, securing a spot in the Europa League quarterfinal on Thursday. Recently back from a loan stint at Chester FC in the sixth tier of English football, he has deputised Andre Onana in the last eight matches, which includes the 1-1 draw against Arsenal.
The highly rated goalie was born in England but is eligible to represent South Africa. He joined the Red Devils three years ago from third-tier side Stevenage in a transfer worth around R12 million. He first trained with the senior team while Onana was at the AFCON in January 2024.
The former West Ham academy shot-stopper has been capped for the England Under-18 team. Manchester Evening News described him as “one of the most promising homegrown goalkeepers” after being named Reserve Team Player of the Year.
This season, he has played 18 games in the National League North, keeping seven clean sheets. In League Two, he featured five times for United, conceding six times and keeping two clean sheets.
Prominent digital football scout Prince Sobayeni described the teenage sensation as “a solid, ball-playing shot-stopper”. “He’s a modern-day goalkeeper who uses both feet and is a leader at the back. Elyh commands his area well, and I’ve seen him make incredible one-on-one saves. He’s an all-rounded keeper,” Sobayeni told FARPost.
He believes the youngster’s senior team debut is near. “He’s currently the second choice, and if anything happens to Onana, he will have to step up.”
THORSTEN BRITS – MANCHESTER CITY
Nicknamed Spike, Brits became the most expensive academy player signing in the history of the English game in 2023.
The 17-year-old, whose South African parents emigrated to the United Kingdom from East London in the Eastern Cape, started his career at AFC Wimbledon’s Academy in the Under 9s group. He spent his debut campaign in City’s Under-18 side before being promoted to the reserve side in the 2024/25 season.
The teenager plays in a squad with mostly U-21 players in League Two, the fourth tier of England football. The England-born goalkeeper is credited with being composed and contributing to the team’s build-up play. He is comfortable with the ball at his feet and can distribute it over a range of distances.
Brits has already debuted for the England Under-16s. In fact, he kept seven clean sheets from his first eight caps, which now include Under-17s and 18s stints. While he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of playing for Bafana, England will do everything to keep him if he continues with his trajectory.
This season, he has played five games and kept two clean sheets in League Two.
Sobayeni believes that his record transfer fee to Manchester City speaks volumes about his qualities. “He was rated at Wimbledon as one of their top academy players,” said Sobayeni.
“He told me that he comes to South Africa very often. He has strong South African roots and is proud of them. At 17, he’s in the reserve team, which shows he’s making serious progress. I wouldn’t be surprised if he sits on the bench for the senior team before the end of the season.”
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