MANCHESTER UNITED HAVE agreed a deal with Celtic to send Tyler Blackett to Parkhead on a season-long loan.

Blackett was one of the young players to make the first team breakthrough last season under Louis van Gaal, who holds the 21-year-old in high regard.

The defender made 11 appearances in the Premier League last season, but the Dutchman has now sanctioned the loan deal for Blackett, whose first team opportunities will be limited during the new campaign.

The 21-year-old is now due in Glasgow for a medical ahead of completing the move to the Scottish Premiership champions.

Blackett’s arrival at Celtic could pave the way for Virgil van Dijk to leave the club after they failed to qualify for the Champions League, losing a two-legged play-off to Swedish side Malmo.

Southampton, who themselves were knocked out of the Europa League in midweek by FC Midtjylland, maintain an interest in the Dutch centre-back.

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