Stockport County have completed the permanent signing of Manchester United winger Ethan Ennis, adding the 21-year-old to Jimmy McNulty’s squad on a three-year contract.
Ennis has left Old Trafford after five years with United, having originally joined their academy from Liverpool in 2021. His move to Edgeley Park was confirmed on Monday, with United announcing that the forward had agreed a switch to the League One club subject to registration.
The winger arrives with plenty of EFL experience despite never making a senior league appearance for Manchester United. He spent the second half of the 2024/25 campaign with Doncaster Rovers before joining Fleetwood Town on loan last season, where he made 39 league appearances and scored three times.
Ennis’ development at Old Trafford also saw him feature regularly at age-group level. He was part of the Manchester United Under-18 side that won the FA Youth Cup in 2022, having made the unusual move directly from Liverpool’s academy the previous summer.
Stockport head coach Jimmy McNulty believes County have secured a player capable of continuing to develop beyond League One level.
“Ethan is a really exciting addition for the football club, and I’m delighted to welcome him to Edgeley Park as part of our County team.
“Ethan has had a unique education as a footballer, having been developed by two of the biggest and most successful clubs in the country.
“As a result, he is a player who has all the attributes to succeed at this level and higher over the next few years of his career.”
Ennis’ versatility was also a major factor in Stockport’s interest. Primarily a winger, he can operate from either flank and can also play through central attacking areas, giving McNulty another option across his forward line.
“His versatility will provide us with great options out wide and in central attacking areas, he is comfortable playing on either side and his pace and ability on the ball is something I think will really excite supporters when they see him in action,” McNulty added.
The transfer brings Ennis’ time with Manchester United to an end without a first-team breakthrough, but his accumulated Football League experience means Stockport are signing a player who has already spent two seasons learning senior football away from Old Trafford.
This looks like a sensible piece of business for Stockport. Ennis is still only 21, but he already has meaningful EFL experience behind him and should arrive with a clearer idea of what senior football demands. The permanent nature of the deal is important as well, because County are not simply developing someone else’s player for a season.
If Ennis can turn his pace and versatility into more consistent end product, there is every chance this could prove to be a particularly shrewd addition.
