The Denzil Haroun Reserve-Team Player of the Year (POTY) is a prestigious award to receive for the youngsters of Manchester United.
The Denzil Haroun Reserve Player of the Year is awarded to the best reserve in the academy ranks. The prize is named after Haroun, who was a former director of the club, with Nicky Butt, Darren Fletcher, John O’Shea and Andreas Pereira among the big names to have got their hands on it.
Alongside this, the club also hand out the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year Award, the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year Award, the Players’ Player of the Year Award, and the Goal of the Season Award.
So who are the names around Carrington to have received the prestigious accolade? Find out right here on United in Focus.
2023/24 Denzil Haroun Award winner
The winner of the 2023/24 Denzil Award winner has been announced, and it has been won by Elyh Harrison.
Harrison is the first goalkeeper to win the award since Kevin Pilkington back in 1994/95.
He was presented with the award ahead of the first team’s final game of the season at Old Trafford, along with Jimmy Murphy Award winner Ethan Wheatley.
Harrison had helped United to clinch the Premier League national title 24 hours earlier, with a commanding performance.
This season he has featured for both the under-18s and under-21s regularly, impressing since his move from Stevenage in 2022.
Academy director Nick Cox said: “Elyh has equipped himself brilliantly throughout the season, consistently performing for our Under-18s, Under-21s and often training with the first team.
“This variety of experiences will stand him in great stead as he continues his development as a really exciting young goalkeeper. Winning this prestigious award at only 18 years of age is really impressive and shows just how mature Elyh is.”
Every winner of the Denzil Haroun Player of the Year Award
| Year | Player |
| 1989–90 | Mark Robins |
|---|---|
| 1990–91 | Jason Lydiate |
| 1991–92 | Brian Carey |
| 1992–93 | Colin McKee |
| 1993–94 | Nicky Butt |
| 1994–95 | Kevin Pilkington |
| 1995–96 | Michael Appleton |
| 1996–97 | Michael Clegg |
| 1997–98 | Michael Twiss |
| 1998–99 | Mark Wilson |
| 1999–2000 | N/A |
| 2000–01 | Michael Stewart |
| 2001–02 | John O’Shea |
| 2002–03 | Darren Fletcher |
| 2003–04 | David Jones |
| 2004–05 | Sylvan Ebanks-Blake |
| 2005–06 | Giuseppe Rossi |
| 2006–07 | Kieran Lee |
| 2007–08 | Richard Eckersley |
| 2008–09 | James Chester |
| 2009–10 | Ritchie De Laet |
| 2010–11 | Oliver Gill |
| 2011–12 | Michael Keane |
| 2012–13 | Adnan Januzaj |
| 2013–14 | Saidy Janko |
| 2014–15 | Andreas Pereira |
| 2015–16 | Cameron Borthwick-Jackson |
| 2016–17 | Axel Tuanzebe |
| 2017–18 | Demitri Mitchell |
| 2018–19 | Tahith Chong |
| 2019–20 | James Garner |
| 2020–21 | Hannibal Mejbri |
| 2021–22 | Alvaro Fernandez |
| 2022–23 | Dan Gore |
| 2023-24 | Elyh Harrison |
FAQs
Who was the first-ever winner of the Denzil Haroun Player of the Year Award?
Mark Robins was the first winner of the award at Old Trafford, taking it home in the 1989-90 season.
Who is Denzil Haroun?
Denzil Haroun was a former club director of Manchester United and brother-in-law of the club chairman Louis Edwards.
The Denzil Haroun Reserve Player of the Year is awarded to the best reserve in the team. However, this should not be confused with the Jimmy Murphy Award which is awarded to the best young player of the year.
Who is the current holder of the Denzil Haroun Player of the Year Award?
The latest recipient of the Denzil Haroun Reserve Team Player of the Year is Elyh Harrison.