Man Utd eyeing raid on Man City youth team for star dubbed the 'Salford Silva'

Manchester United are one of a number of top clubs monitoring the situation of Manchester City youth player James McAtee, with little time left on his City contract.

McAtee has a number of keen admirers both within the City hierarchy and from clubs elsewhere, the creative midfielder also catching the eye of La Liga giants Barcelona.

The teenager has just 18 months left to run on his City contract as a lengthy list of Europe's elite outfits wait in the wings to see if he renews or calls time on his Etihad stay.

The 19-year-old was originally on the books at United, before being released by the Red Devils - though those at United have clearly kept tabs on his development since.

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Man City midfielder James McAtee has caught the eye of both Manchester United and Liverpool ( Image:

George Wood/Getty Images)

Fellow Premier League titans Liverpool have reportedly thrown their hat in the ring in the pursuit of McAtee, while Ajax and Atletico Madrid can be added to his list of potential suitors.

Should McAtee make the controversial switch back across to the red half of the city - it would mark the second time in recent years United have raided their rivals academy.

Prolific youth centre-forward Charlie McNeill scored a staggering 600 goals across City's various age groups within the academy set-up, only to be enticed by the Red Devils last year.

Affectionately dubbed the 'Salford Silva' by his own fanbase due to sharing a similar playing style with City icon David, McAtee has enjoyed a stellar start to the campaign.

The Salford-born star notched a hat-trick against Club Brugge during City's UEFA Youth League defeat last week.

His hat-trick heroics just the latest feat as McAtee continues to leave City's coaching staff impressed with seemingly every performance.

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Pep Guardiola has made no secret of his views on the midfielder, explaining how he is keen to reward his efforts with more game time for the first-team.

However, due to the overwhelming amount of star-studded midfielders in front of him, there are fears his progression could be stalled should he pen an extension with City.

Viewed by many as the next Phil Foden, McAtee is arguably more attacking than the England international - with 15 goals in 14 games across all competitions for City's youth side.

Pep Guardiola has previously spoken highly of midfielder James McAtee

Though they do not boast quite the stature of some of the other side's interested - Brighton & Hove Albion were rumoured to be considering making a bid for McAtee earlier this year.

It is thought that City intend on negotiating a new deal with McAtee in the coming months, though when he sees the likes of Foden, Jack Grealish and Bernado Silva in front of him - he will have to seriously consider his options.