'I'd hate it if he signed for them'- The Man City diehard who shaped Manchester United's dream signing

In the shadows of the Etihad Stadium are the streets that have raised one of the hottest young players in world football.

Jeremie Frimpong's passport might read Amsterdam as his place of birth, but his formative years were spent three miles east of Manchester city centre, in the suburb of Openshaw. This summer, a return to the city that raised him is a very realistic possibility.

Manchester United want him, and Manchester City like him too. But the truth is that just about every team would love to add him to their team if the opportunity arose.

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Born to parents who are Dutch and Ghanaian, he moved to Manchester at the age of seven. It was a culture shock for a shy young man, who felt the move more than his brothers and sisters. Frimpong came from a household that spoke English, Dutch and Twi, a variety of the Akan language spoken in southern and central Ghana. Not that he spoke much then.

Those who knew him then described him as a shy but extremely polite boy who puts family at the heart of everything he does. Not much has changed, but he has certainly found his voice at Bayer Leverkusen.

Paul Sneddon knew him better than most. He was his youth coach for two years at local side AFC Clayton, the first team that Frimpong ever played for in his career.

A diehard Man City fan, there was huge pride when he eventually signed for the Blues after two years under his guidance, and now there is a real worry that he could end up playing for United instead.

"I'd hate it if he signed for United," Sneddon tells the Manchester Evening News. "If he invited me