George Tanner and Rod McDonald: Carlisle United sign defensive duo

Manchester United released George Tanner in June

Carlisle United have signed defenders George Tanner and Rod McDonald on two-year contracts.

Tanner, 20, is a product of Manchester United's academy and signed his first professional deal with the Premier League side in 2018.

He was recently released by the Red Devils and is Carlisle's first signing of this transfer window.

McDonald, 28, arrives after being released by AFC Wimbledon after two years at Kingsmeadow.

He previously played for Coventry and Northampton.

Blackpool-born Tanner featured 29 times in all competitions during a loan spell with fellow League Two club Morecambe last season.

Carlisle boss Chris Beech told the club website: "George comes to us with tremendous pedigree, having been at Manchester United since he was eight, and having progressed all the way through their system, as well as representing England through the various age groups.

"George is naturally a right-back, but he can also play further forward, or as a left-back.

"I became aware of him when he played for Manchester United and he really impressed me when he went to Morecambe on loan last year, playing the number of games he played in just half a season."

On McDonald's arrival, Beech added: "Rod comes with the time-served benefit of playing experience.

"He's been promoted from this division before, twice, so he knows what it takes to win League Two football matches and be successful.

"Hopefully our younger players around him will benefit from those experiences and from his guidance both on the pitch and at the training ground."