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The sons of United duo Robin van Persie and Phil Neville are with CITY'S academy.

Shaqueel van Persie, seven and Harvey Neville, 11, are both training with the Blues youth set-up rather than following in their fathers' own footsteps with the Reds.

It is unclear why striker van Persie, who cost United £24m and Neville, who spent 10 years there as a player after coming through the youth ranks and has returned as a coach, have decided to point their children in the direction of the Reds' cross-town rivals.

Both boys are said to be talented and two years ago van Persie's former club Arsenal were said to be interested in snapping up Shaqueel.

Harvey plays for his school, St Bede's, which is where a number of City's academy stars study.

A source told the M.E.N.: "There's quite a bit of surprise about it. You would have thought that if they were going to be with anyone it would have been United."

Back in 2012 while with Arsenal van Persie revealed Shaqueel was a chip off the old block.

'I honestly have to say that he has got a lot of talent for football," he said.

'I recognise a lot of stuff of myself in him. His coach is really great. Arsenal has invited him a couple of times to come and play there but he likes it at his club. He's sensitive for a good atmosphere. Just like me.'

With their new training ground set to open later this year and with Financial Fair Play rules to abide by City are making plenty of effort to ensure they produce the next generation of Blues superstars themselves.

That might be one of the reasons why the youngsters are not with United, who are currently seventh in the Premier League, well behind title-chasing City in second.

Both go to training sessions with the Blues although it is not understood that either have actually signed for the club yet.

Youngsters cannot do so until the end of their Under 8s season.

United declined to comment.