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Rising Stoke City star Nathan Collins is a reported transfer target for Manchester United this summer.

What’s more, the Sun claim Stoke’s former United midfielder Darren Fletcher is the man who has put the Red Devils on the trail of the 18-year-old centre-half.

According to Sun reporter Alan Nixon, Fletcher believes Collins is already good enough to play for the Manchester United first team.

Collins, who only turned 18 on April 30, joined Stoke in 2017 from Dublin-based club Cherry Orchard and quickly progressed to Kevin Russell’s under-23s team.

He has now played three times for Nathan Jones’ first XI, making his debut at Swansea City on April 9, making his first start at Middlesbrough 10 days later and then appearing briefly against champions Norwich at the bet365 Stadium on April 22, impressing each time with his coolness under pressure and range of passing.

Nixon writes: “Manchester United will take the advice of Darren Fletcher and sign Stoke’s Nathan Collins.

“Fletcher, tipped for a post behind the scenes at United, became a huge fan of Collins during his spell with the Potters.”

Collins, the Republic of Ireland youth team captain, has clear ambitions, as he revealed in an interview just after his debut at Swansea.

He said: “I want to work hard, get into the first team and play there next season. I just want to play football and enjoy myself, hopefully it’ll be with Stoke City next season.”

And manager Nathan Jones was also impressed. He added: “He’s been excellent in training and how he’s done stuff and when he came on at Swansea he didn’t look out of place in any way, shape or form. That’s the confidence of the lad. There are certain things he still has to learn and do well, but the future is bright for the boy.”

Stoke fans were unimpressed by news that one of the club’s brightest prospects could be sold this summer. But if Collins does leave, they are expecting Stoke to demand top dollar. This is what they have been saying on social media...