Manchester United could play on the fact Raheem Sterling was a boyhood fan in an attempt to lure him to Old Trafford.

Sterling emerged as a shock transfer candidate for the Red Devils, with a proposed Jadon Sancho swap having been mooted.

But having supported the club as a kid, Sterling is unlikely to need much persuading to join.

Speaking previously, the ex-Manchester City and Liverpool ace said: “I had an old United kit, from when they won the last FA Cup. I was at the final in 2007.

“If two or three of the kids could be inspired, then that’s all I was trying to do. Purely, that’s how I felt at the time.

“If there was a kid who had a chance of being a footballer, hopefully that will give them motivation or inspiration to change their dreams.”