PRAISED by team-mates Frank Lampard, Andrea Pirlo and David Villa, Bolton's Jack Harrison is one of the first names on manager Patrick Vieira's team sheet at New York City FC.

Born in Stoke and raised in Bolton, the 20-year-old forward took the remarkable step of quitting United's academy at 14 to take up a scholarship at an elite private school in Massachusetts.

From there, he progressed to one of the best football programmes in the United States college scene and becoming the first player chosen in last year's MLS draft of new talent.

An injury delayed his impact at NYCFC but once fit he took the league by storm, ending the season as runner-up in both the best new player award and goal of the season.

Speaking before Sunday's 1-0 opening-day defeat at Orlando City, Harrison said: "I had a bit of tough start with a few injury setbacks but then I got to know Frank (Lampard) and I think that was a big step for me.

"I broke into the team and started to express myself. Although it ended badly in the play-offs, I think it was a good season, all things considered."

NYCFC's second campaign finished with a 7-0 defeat over two legs to a Toronto FC inspired by Italian star Sebastian Giovinco, and that loss brought Lampard's time in the US and his playing career to an end.

But the former Chelsea, Manchester City and England star was not the only veteran to move on and NYCFC went into the new season, the MLS' 22nd, with one of the youngest side's in the league. Harrison will still line up, however, with Pirlo and Villa.

"It's amazing to play with guys I grew up watching and using on FIFA," said Harrison.

"Those guys have been great. They are down to earth and they train hard, day in day out.

"And the manager (ex-Arsenal, Manchester City and France great Vieira) is amazing. He demands a lot but you want to deliver for him, because he knows what it takes to win and is very approachable."

Harrison was in the same group at United as Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and Joe Riley, both now on loan in the English Football League, while James Wilson, also on loan in the Championship, was a year ahead. That said, Marcus Rashford was a year below.

Asked if he would recommend his path to others, he said: "definitely."

"It's not easy to leave your family and friends at 14 but I was very independent and excited to try something new," he added.

"Quite a few friends came out later too and pursued a similar path at colleges. It's hard to break through at home.

"I remember a lot of the kids I played with only thought about playing professionally – they had a kind of tunnel vision. It was great they knew what they wanted but it was also a bit naive."

Regular football, famous team-mates and a new home in New York are all very nice, of course, but is the football any good?

"It's hard to compare the MLS to other leagues but a lot of people underestimate how tough it is," he said.

"There is a lot of travel, you play in different climates and the standard has gone up exponentially. Just look at the players who have come, guys like Thierry Henry, Giovinco, Lampard.

"And it's not a retirement league at all, there are lots of young, physical players and it's still growing. It's much tougher than lots of people back home think."