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Coventry City have reluctantly sold one of the club's brightest Academy players to Premier League giants Manchester United, the Telegraph can reveal.

The Sky Blues are to receive a fee for 15-year-old midfielder Charlie McCann who was called up for England Under-16 duty earlier this summer.

McCann has supported the Red Devils since a small boy and the lure of Old Trafford was clearly a major factor - his parents having told City that he would have turned down any other club.

"When a big football club come knocking, and it is the club that Charlie supports, you must let him go and have that experience," revealed Academy boss Rich Stevens.

"We did not want to sell him, we did not need a fee for him even though there was a fee involved.

"Charlie goes with complete support from me and the rest of the staff from the Academy. He has been unbelievable for us, even making his England debut back in August."

The Coventry-born player has been with the Sky Blues since the age of seven and was first called up for England duty in July when he made his debut in a 2-0 win over Uruguay before going on as a substitute in a 2-0 defeat by Scotland.

Speaking in the club's matchday programme, Stevens added: "I have spent a lot of time with Charlie and I love the boy to pieces. I also have a lot of time for his family who are incredibly supportive.

"We will keep an eye on him and be here if he needs us. His parents told me that if it would have been any other club it would have been a firm no, but when it is the club that Charlie supports, that is football. Charlie goes with our full support."

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