As Sportsmail exclusively revealed on Friday, United are confident of signing 16-year-old striker Charlie McNeill, a player who has scored an amazing 600 goals in youth football.

The England under-16 international left City six weeks ago after rejecting a professional contract at the Etihad Stadium and United want to swoop to re-sign a player who left them six years ago.

But because McNeill doesn’t turn 17 until September, the two rivals will have to agree a fee – likely to be a seven-figure sum – or risk the details being thrashed out at a tribunal.

City will also look to include a number of performance-related clauses, which has caused something of a stalemate in recent weeks.

McNeill is actually a United fan and the striker’s incredible scoring feats started with their junior sides and continued at City.

And some of the numbers are jaw-dropping – he scored 110 goals and contributed 38 assists in just 72 matches when in City’s under-15 side.

But when he was elevated into City’s under-18 squad, playing opportunities became more limited for McNeill.

Last season, he made three substitute appearances in the Under-18 Premier League and that remained the case in 2019-20 with four more substitute outings and just one start before the season was curtailed because of Covid-19.

Mind you, McNeill did prove a point by scoring his first goal at that age group in a 2-1 win over Blackburn back in February.

That led to McNeill seeking greater opportunities elsewhere and when he left, he posted on Instagram: ‘Massive thank you to @mancity for everything over the past 6 years.

‘It’s been such a pleasure to play with some amazing players and made some amazing friends to [sic]. Thanks to all the staff and players for helping me develop as a player and also as a person. I wish everyone the very best, thank you.’

The accompanying photographs showed that his six years at City had been highly successful.

He stands at the forefront of a group photo after City won last season’s Premier League Under-15 International Tournament, held at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground, when they beat Arsenal 1-0 in the final.

There’s also a picture of McNeill holding two trophies with a medal round his neck at the equivalent under-14 tournament a year earlier.

A few weeks earlier McNeill posted a video compilation of his best bits from the season and it’s little wonder that United, as well as RB Leipzig, Leeds and Wolves, have expressed interest.

The variety of the goals McNeill scores in these under-16 and under-17 games is the most striking aspect.

There are true highlights reel hits from 30 or 40 yards similar to those Steven Gerrard or Paul Scholes used to produce.

McNeill enjoys cutting inside the last defender and bending shots across the keeper, while some are more deceptive near-post finishes.

There are poacher’s goals in the vein of Harry Kane as well, perfectly-timed darts into space inside the box for a close-range finish.

He also appears to be an assured penalty taker as well with a cheeky Panenka slipped in for good measure.

McNeill’s assist record from the under-15s also suggests he’s more than happy to pass or cross when team-mates are standing in better positions.

International recognition with England has followed with four appearances so far for the under-16 team. His one goal for the Young Lions came in a 5-1 win over Moldova at the Aegean Cup last year.

It remains to be seen whether City and United can thrash out a deal for the teenager but there’s no doubt McNeill is a born goalscorer.