United snatch five-year-old City fan

IF you’re good enough, you’re old enough goes the popular sporting saying and Premier League giants Manchester United and Chelsea obviously agree.

United’s latest signing is five-year-old Charlie Jackson while Chelsea yesterday failed in a bid to sign 12-year-old Swindon midfielder Jordan Young.

Old Trafford scouts spotted Jackson when he was just three but had to wait until he reached the grizzled age of five until he was old enough to join their development centre. Charlie is a fan of United’s noisy neighbours Manchester City but his father Andy says his son is “loving” life at United.

“His idols are Joe Hart and Mario Balotelli and at first he was mortified having to train with United, but he seems to be getting over that bit. He loves it,” said his father.

While Jackson is settling in at United, Chelsea have been stung by the fact all their profile and wealth wasn’t enough to tempt Jordan Young away from League Two Swindon.

Young, one of the club’s most promising players, has opted to remain with the Robins to continue his development.