Manchester United snap up starlet, aged 5... but parents hope he'll play for City

16 November 2011 08:02
They say football is a man's game but Charlie Jackson is proving them wrong after being spotted by Manchester United at the age of three.  [LNB]The football fan, from Denton, Greater Manchester, impressed Reds scouts with his control and movement and was earmarked as a future star.  [LNB]But it wasn't until he was five that United decided he was old enough to join them for training at their development centre.  [LNB] Future star: Charlie Jackson, now five, was spotted by Manchester United at the age of three[LNB]Now Charlie, who trains with top-rated youngsters almost all a year older than him, is being touted by coaches as a potential superstar of the future.  [LNB]And his parents couldn't be more proud despite them being Manchester City fans.[LNB] Charlie was first spotted while training with Footytotz, a community football programme for boys and girls.  [LNB]The United scouts singled him out but said he was too young to join them. Two years later they returned and signed him. [LNB] Talented: Charlie with his father Andy. His parents couldn't be more proud despite them being City fans[LNB] His father Andy, 38, who has a season ticket at the Etihad Stadium, admitted it had taken a bit of persuasion to get Charlie to wear the United badge.  [LNB]Mr Jackson said: 'His idols are Joe Hart and Mario Balotelli and at first he was mortified that he was having to train with United but he seems to be getting over that a bit now.[LNB]'He loves training with the club and it's an amazing opportunity for him.  [LNB]'Everywhere we go people notice him because of his football talent, whether it's on the park or on holiday. [LNB]'People just stand there and watch him, they can't believe he's only five because he's so good. [LNB] Future star: The toddler impressed Reds scouts with his control and movement[LNB] 'He has power in his left and right foot. For a little boy he's so strong, he's unbelievable. Me and my wife had to get him a bicycle to try to divert his attention because he was getting so obsessed with football.' [LNB] Charlie lives with father Andy, mother Claire, 38, and older brother Jake, 12.[LNB]He combines training with United once a week with Footytotz in Denton, which provides coaching for children aged two to five, and classes at Manor Park Primary School.  [LNB]Financial accountant Mr Jackson added: 'My wife mithered me to take him to Footytotz to begin with because she thought he was really good and was sick of him running around the house with a ball. [LNB] 'It ended up being the best thing we ever did. [LNB] 'We haven't set him any long-term goals. The moment he stops enjoying football is the moment we look at doing something else with him. [LNB] 'There's no pressure on him at all but it would be nice if he plays for City one day.' [LNB] Golden-oldie balls! Beckham not too old for Paris Saint-Germain move, insists LeonardoRooney D-Day: England's appeal over nightmare three-match Euro ban set for December 9[LNB]

Source: Daily_Mail