American wonderkid Freddy Adu began a two-week trial with Manchester United today.

The 17-year-old has been released for the trip across the Atlantic by his Major League Soccer outfit DC United, who failed to reach the end-of-season play-offs.

The Ghana-born midfielder has long been touted for soccer superstardom and became the youngest player to represent the United States earlier this year when he came on as a late substitute in a friendly with Canada. At the time he was just 16.

However, despite the impressive CV, Chelsea are reported to have already rejected a chance to sign Adu.

And there was no sign of special treatment for Adu at the Red Devils' Carrington training ground as, with Alex Ferguson's senior squad being put through their paces ahead of tomorrow's Champions League encounter with Celtic, the youngster trained with the club's academy players.

As Adu does not have a UK work permit, he is not able to play in a competitive match, although it is thought United will arrange a closed-doors friendly at some point during his visit.