GOALKEEPER Callan McKenna revealed how a Zoom call with Simon Francis and Neil Moss convinced him to turn down the chance to move to Manchester United, and instead join Cherries.

On deadline day back in February, teenager McKenna left Scottish outfit Queen’s Park to make a permanent move to Cherries.

But he has now revealed just how close he was to instead moving to Man Utd.

Asked what persuaded him to join Cherries, the 17-year-old told club’s official matchday programme: “A 15-minute Zoom call with (assistant technical director) Simon Francis and (head of goalkeeping) Neil Moss.

“I travelled to Manchester and met the people from Manchester United the day before deadline day.

“That night, I had the Zoom call and was invested in coming here.

“The following morning, the guys from United came to take me to the training ground and I told them it wasn’t what I wanted.

“They tried their best to persuade me, but I wanted to come here.”

Since, McKenna has featured for Cherries’ under-18s and development squad, as well as being on the bench for three Premier League fixtures.

Further explaining his rationale behind joining Cherries, McKenna added: “I thought I would be closer to the first team and you only need to look at some of the goalkeepers Bournemouth have brought through, like Mark Travers and Aaron Ramsdale.

“You want to follow in their footsteps.

“Coming here sounded perfect and it has been so far. It’s not just about the badge or saying you play for this or that team, that’s for later in my career.

“Hopefully in 20 years’ time, you can say you’ve done X, Y or Z. But for the here and now, Bournemouth is perfect for me.

“It was difficult to adjust at the start, but I love it now. This is my life now and I feel I’m progressing well so, hopefully, I can continue to do that.

“Hopefully coming here will put me on the way to eventually playing in the Premier League.”