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Andy Kellett thought Manchester United move was a 'wind-up'

Image: Andy Kellett: Made deadline day move to Old Trafford

Bolton boss Neil Lennon had trouble convincing Andy Kellett that his loan move to Manchester United was not a wind-up.

The 21-year-old left-back's switch from Bolton to Old Trafford for the rest of the season was the most surprising deal done on transfer deadline day.

And it was not just fans who were taken aback by the news.

Trotters boss Lennon told Sky Sports News HQ: "He thought I was winding him up.

He was on his way to Plymouth. He thought I was winding him up.
Neil Lennon on Andy Kellett

"Once I sat him down and he stopped shaking, he seemed to take it all in. He’s small and diminutive, and he’s a very well-balanced lad. I presume he’ll be in the development squad to start with." 

Kellett came through the Bolton academy but has made only one start and three substitute appearances for the Trotters.

He impressed during a two-and-a-half-month loan spell with Plymouth in League Two and had been set to return to Home Park before United intervened.

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Pacy midfielder Saidy Janko has headed in the other direction, also on loan until the end of the season.

Lennon said: "We heard of the interest last week, and we quite liked Saidy Janko so we made the call and the deal was done.

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Watch Manchester United's new deadline day signing Andy Kellett score for Plymouth

"He was taken aback because originally he was going to back to Plymouth – we had to call John Sheridan, and say: ‘I’m sorry John but this is the opportunity of a lifetime for the boy’."

Whether United fans actually see anything of Kellett remains to be seen, with Lennon expecting the defender to play for the under-21s.

"I'd imagine so," he said. "I wouldn't expect him to go straight into the first-team squad.

"We've only had initial talks so we'll see how it goes."

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