Paul Jose Mpoklu, the 15-year-old Congolese defender, has been offered a trial with Manchester United this week. He has yet to sign any formal deal with Liege, the Belgian club he currently plays for, and both United and Tottenham are keen to secure his services. He has already had a trial with Spurs, but now United are hoping to tempt him to stay up north.

His cousin, Porto’s Jose Bosingwa, has been advising the player, giving the teenager a composed approach to the game. “I will have to wait a few months before I make a decision,” he said. “Now I have Manchester United to think about too but I did enjoy London and went to the Tottenham-Wigan game and it was fantastic. I have spoken a lot with my cousin and he gives me good advice. I love English football, they have great players and the atmosphere in stadiums is amazing.”