15-year-old Mpofu, born in Scotland but predominantly raised in Berkshire, has been with the Royals for three years.

The youngster, regularly impressing for the Academy sides, is now a Scotland Under-15s international and Mailsport believe his is wanted by the Red Devils in order to join their prestigious Academy for next season.

He will become the latest in a long line of young Royals departing the youth set-up in Reading for the North-West, with the likes of Luca Fletcher, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Christian Dunbar-McDonald all moving from their hometown to Manchester.

This is a proud week for the Academy overall, as Noel Hunt’s Under-21 team nearly missed out on the PL2 Final on Monday following a heartbreaking 4-3 loss to Sunderland.

This summer, the Academy will commemorate its 25th anniversary. Since 1999, 80 young people have advanced from the youth teams to the first team.