Manchester United win the race to sign highly-rated Aston Villa teenager Evie Rabjohn

Manchester United have won the race to sign highly rated England U19 defender Evie Rabjohn from Aston Villa.

Sportsmail revealed United had made an official approach for the 17-year-old last week and the youngster has opted to make the move to the Red Devils.

The deal will be completed when Rabjohn returns from international duty with the U19 squad.

The defender made her first Women’s Super League start in Villa’s 5-0 victory over Leicester at the end of March.

Villa will not receive compensation due to Rabjohn not turning 18 until April 28.

FA rules state that players in the women’s game can move before signing a first professional contract at 18 without their club receiving a fee.

This is in contrast to the men’s game, which has a detailed system of compensation that has been established by FIFA.

It is a rule that several clubs in the WSL have lobbied the FA to change for the last two years.

Chelsea boss Emma Hayes has previously called for the FA to introduce transfer fees for players under the age of 18, despite rule arguably benefitting her club.

‘We can't sign a player until they're 18. You can develop anyone 12, 13 - Lauren James, good example, Alessio Russo for us,’ Hayes said in August.

‘At (the age of) 16 someone else can say “hey, we're signing them”, a week you get no compensation, nothing. That has to change because I think it will force the hands of Chelsea’s and Arsenal’s.’