Manchester United academy coach Colin Little has revealed just how close the club came from pinching Red Devils ‘fan’ Cole Palmer from rivals Manchester City as a teenager. The 22-year-old has firmly established himself as one of the most exciting talents in the Premier League since joining Chelsea and was named the PFA Young Player of the Year after an extraordinary debut season at Stamford Bridge last time out.

If Palmer had joined United, he might still have lined up alongside Erling Haaland - his former City team-mate. United icon Ole Gunnar Solskjaer recommended his countryman to United when he was a teenager, but the Red Devils opted against what would have been a bargain move.

Manchester United academy coach Colin Little has revealed that Cole Palmer came ‘close’ to leaving Manchester City for Old Trafford as a teenager. Palmer, 22, has established himself as one of the most exciting talents in Premier League football since joining Chelsea and was named the PFA Young Player of the Year after an extraordinary debut season at Stamford Bridge last term.