Charlie McCann is edging closer to a move away from Old Trafford, but he won't be thrown straight into the first-team environment at Rangers.
Liverpool great and Rangers manager Steven Gerrard admits the Scottish champions are close to announcing his permanent signing, as previously reported by the MEN.
McCann, 19, progressed through the famed Manchester United academy - having initially started his journey with hometown Coventry City.
Capped by the Republic of Ireland at age-group level, the talented midfielder featured regularly for the club's U18 and U23 sides, but his United contract has now expired.
As a result, McCann has been identified and pursued by Gerrard and his Rangers scouting team.
He has been offered a three-year contract, while United could stand to earn a fee of around £700,000 should the move go ahead - as expected.
As per an article from The Scotsman, Gerrard said: "We're certainly aware of Charlie McCann - he's a really good talent, a strong talent.
"It is close, but there's nothing to report really.
"It will be a B-team signing but, as a management team, if it happens we will follow him really closely and analyse where he's at. Once he's ready for an opportunity, it will certainly present itself."
Having ended Celtic's decade-long dominance in Scotland last season, under Gerrard, Rangers will kick-off the title defence against Livingston tomorrow afternoon (1.30pm).
As for McCann, meanwhile, his initial days as a Rangers player are set to see him drafted into the Lowland League, where the club's Academy/B team compete.
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