"He's a gem!" - Vinicius Junior success at Real Madrid highlights Manchester United scouting issue

"He’s a gem!

"I’ve never seen a 14-year-old player do what he does."

Manchester United supporters might have one final weekend of pain to endure before they can fully focus on their bright future as a club.

On the same day Erik ten Hag was unveiled as the new United manager this week, across the city, the blue half of Manchester were celebrating another Premier League title with their latest victory parade.

Man City's triumph in the top-flight did at least prevent United's most fierce rivals, Liverpool, from winning an unprecedented quadruple, though this weekend they could well compensate by settling for a treble instead.

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United fans might well only have eyes for their own side, but there would certainly be plenty of consolatory celebrations if Real Madrid managed to win a 14th European Cup on Saturday night.

In order to do so, Madrid will need to rediscover the same attacking excellence that saw them stun City in the semi-finals earlier this month, and all eyes will be on their star-studded attacking stars to make the difference in Paris this weekend.

Vinicius Junior is one of those. He has been one of the standout performers for Madrid during this breakthrough season, with 21 goals and 20 assists in all competitions, but he could have so easily been a United player had the club acted upon initial scout reports to sign him.

Seven years ago, United were highly recommended the signing of the then-14-year-old by their own scouts, but they failed to act upon the advice, which would continue for the next three years.

Speaking to ESPN Brazil, former Flamengo academy coach Carlos Noval said: "A foreign scout from Manchester United said: 'Noval, look at