Former midfielder convinces Manchester United to move for Championship teenager – report

By Alasdair Mackenzie
published

Stoke City defender Nathan Collins could be set for a summer switch to Manchester United thanks to former Old Trafford midfielder Darren Fletcher.

Nathan Collins Stoke

The 18-year-old has made just three Championship appearances for the Potters this season but impressed his Scotland international team-mate.

Fletcher departed the bet365 Stadium at the end of the season as his contract expired, and has been linked with a backroom role at his former club.

According to a report in the Daily Mail (opens in new tab), Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side will make a move to sign Collins on the 35-year-old’s recommendation.

Solskjaer is keen to freshen up his squad with young talent and the Republic of Ireland Under-17 international fits the bill.

The centre-back made his senior debut for Stoke as a substitute against Swansea in April before starting for the first time in a 1-0 defeat to Middlesbrough 10 days later.

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Alasdair Mackenzie

Alasdair Mackenzie is a freelance journalist based in Rome, and a FourFourTwo contributor since 2015. When not pulling on the FFT shirt, he can be found at Reuters, The Times and the i. An Italophile since growing up on a diet of Football Italia on Channel 4, he now counts himself among thousands of fans sharing a passion for Ross County and Lazio.