Man United Sign 5 Year Old Football Prodigy

Man United Sign 5 Year Old Football Prodigy

Watch Video

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.

The soccer whizkid, from Denton, wowed Reds scouts with his control and movement and was earmarked as a future star.

But it wasn’t until he was five that United decided he was old enough to join them for training at their development centre.

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.

And his parents couldn’t be prouder to see him with United – even though they, like him, are massive City fans!

Charlie was spotted at three while training with Footytotz, a community football programme for boys and girls.

The United scouts singled him out but said he was too young to join them.

Two years later they returned and snapped up Charlie.

Dad 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.

Andy 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. 

“He loves training with the club and it’s an amazing opportunity for him.

“Everywhere we go people notice him because of his football talent, whether  it’s on the park or on holiday. 

“People just stand there and watch him – they can’t believe he’s only five because he’s so good.

“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.”

Charlie lives with dad Andy, mum Claire, 38, and older brother Jake, 12, in Reid Close, Denton. 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.

Financial accountant Andy 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. 

“It ended up being the best thing we ever did.

“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. 

“There’s no pressure on him at all but it would be nice if he plays for City one day.”