Manchester United wonderkid Shola Shoretire was reportedly once released by rivals Manchester City, aged 10, after the club found out he trained with Barcelona on holiday.
Shoretire made his senior Man United debut in the 3-1 Premier League win over Newcastle, coming on for Marcus Rashford in the final minutes despite only turning 17 years old at the start of February.
However it's being reported by Sportsmail that Shoretire was actually on Manchester City's books as a 10-year-old, only to be let go after he trained with Catalan giants Barcelona while on a family holiday.
Paris Saint-Germain and Barca showed an interest in signing the highly-rated prospect. But it was Newcastle and Manchester City who first had the inside track during the Newcastle-born player's early years.
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However following Shoretire's brief trial with Barcelona, Sportsmail report that: "City's staff had concerns and, even though they liked the player, decided against keeping him in their academy.
"It could well be a decision they come to regret."
Manchester United quickly swooped in and Shoretire has been with their academy since 2014.
The versatile attacking player signed a professional contract - reportedly one of the biggest ever for a player of his age - at Old Trafford at the start of February.
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His substitute appearance against Newcastle made him Man United's second-youngest ever player to feature in a Premier League game.
Now the England Under-16 international is part of an exciting, emerging group of talented players at the club including 18-year-old Amad Diallo - signed from Atalanta in January - and 19-year-old Mason Greenwood, already a first-team regular.
We'll have to see whether Shoretire goes on to become an academy youngster who slipped through the net for Manchester City - made all the more painful by the fact he's ended up at the rival club across town.
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All imagery: PA Images
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Manchester City, Football, Manchester United, Premier League