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Manchester United will continue to monitor the progress of Efrain Morales following an impressive trial at the club earlier this year.

Atlanta United midfielder Morales was invited to the club last month after catching the eye of the club's US scouts at a recent winter showcase event.

The 15-year-old travelled to Manchester in January on an initial eight-day training programme after club officials made a request to the MLS side to take a closer look at him.

Morales was joined by Atlanta United academy director Tony Annan during his spell at Carrington and made a positive impression on club officials with his attitude and professionalism.

"He's still got lots of time, but he is definitely one of our top talents who we think has a huge ceiling on his potential," Annan told MEN Sport.

"So I wasn't surprised, it was a nice surprise it being Man United, but I wasn't surprise. He went in there, and he held his own and did really well.

"He's a very laid back kid, so he takes everything in his stride. He doesn't get carried away, he is a very even keel kid. When I told him he was excited, why would you not be? But, he got over it and was ready to go over straight away. He went in there confidently."

Although the teenager's trial at United has now come to an end, club scouts will continue to monitor his progress, and will be in attendance to watch him represent the United States at youth level later this month.

Annan added: "They gave us some feedback technically, tactically, and the sports scene gave us feedback on his power, his strength, his speed. So we got a pretty good report back, thorough.

"They are going to continue to watch him. He is playing in England for the USA. He is playing this month and they are going to watch him and see how he does. He's back in the UK for a ten-day stint with the national team, then he is back here. They liked him, they said they are going to monitor him and keep him on the radar. He did well, so we are hopeful."

It remains to be seen just how far Morales will go in the game, and Annan is reluctant to put too much pressure on a youngster so early into his career.

However, the academy director admits Morales is an exceptional talent who has what it takes to go very far in the game.

He said: "I am always sceptical of saying it because you know football and how it changes. He has the potential to be a very, very good player and I think he has the potential to become a professional player. He has still got years of development ahead, but he has got everything, he has got all the tools. I am very hopeful we can provide the platform for him to become a professional player.

"It motivates a lot of the other guys who could qualify to play for a European club, obviously we are trying to build our club as well. We would like to sign them here, but it gives them motivation that they can definitely be seen by European clubs and be asked to go over there for that experience.

"I am happy to give them those experiences and I think it is important for them to get those experiences whether they go and sign in Europe or not is a different matter. But, I think the experience of going to a big club like Man Utd is something that you can't buy for a young kid.

"I had a few conversations with a few of the pros. I went to dinner with Mike Phelan, they were very, very open and very nice people. They are really working hard to get United back where it was, which is great to see. It was a really, really good atmosphere at the club. Warm, open, very friendly and everyone there was spot on. It was a good experience for all of us."