I love the EPL as much as the next guy and I am a Manchester fan but this is crazy
On the same day Freddy Adu scored again to lead the U.S. to a 2-1 win over Sierra Leone at the U-17 World Championships in Finland, Sunday newspaper reports in England have Manchester United opening talks to sign the budding American soccer star.
The Premiership champions, who yesterday gave a competitive debut to their new U.S. international goalkeeper Tim Howard, are believed to be closing in on a deal that would bring the 14-year-old prodigy to Old Trafford.
Adu currently is leading the unbeaten U.S. squad with four goals in two games at the championships. This performance followed his impressive outings in pre-tournament preparations at Manchester United's Carrington training ground.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been in contact with Adu's mother and with Arnold Tarzy, the family's adviser and the player's former coach, according to Sunday's Observer.
Adu recently agreed to a $1 million contract with Nike, who sponsors and provides uniforms for Manchester United.
As the buzz surrounding the gifted Ghanaian-born player increases, Manchester United is believed to have moved a step ahead of rivals for his signature, even though he would only be able to join the club's youth academy. Under English Premier League rules, Adu could only sign a professional contract at the age of 17.
Any deal with Manchester United would also depend on Adu's willingness to relocate.
"He may not be willing to do that, and his development may be better served at the moment by staying put," a United source said.
Adu and the unbeaten Americans worked hard to win the game at Lahti, about a two hours drive north of the Finnish capital Helsinki.
Sierra Leone put pressure on the Americans and fired no less than 25 shots, hitting the target 12 times, keeping U.S. goalie Phil Marfuggi busy.
But 14-year-old Adu scored the winner in the closing minutes, showing trademark skill with his feet as he took the ball behind the goalkeeper in the 89th minute.
"I learned how tough I can really be, sometimes I get hit all he time and have to come out of games because it hurts so much, and today it was brutal,'' Adu said.
"But you had to dig deep, and go through it, and it ended with the winning goal.''
Adu to Man. U.