Spotlight on local lad moving up a league

UNITED youngster Callum Gribbin was promoted to United’s first-team training session last week – sparking excitement from supporters online.

The local lad is popular with fans who are desperate to see him make the breakthrough into Jose Mourinho’s first-team squad.

Here’s everything you need to know about the youngster. NAME Callum Gribbin BIRTHPLACE Salford POSITION Midfielder DATE OF BIRTH December 18, 1998 JOINED CLUB Has been with the academy since the age of nine. BACKGROUND A hugely-talented youngster, Gribbin has been tipped for the top by supporters since his youth team days. He first hit the headlines when he scored twice in an U13s match ahead of Edwin van der Sar’s testimonial at Ajax’s Amsterdam ArenA – and has continued to impress, with a hat-trick at Liverpool last season among the highlights from his time in the academy.

His brilliant youth-team form caught the eye of City and Liverpool but the boyhood United fan rejected their advances. HOW DOES HE PLAY? Comfortable in the playmaker role or on the right flank, Gribbin is also a free-kick specialist and has impressive dribbling ability. The England youth international has an eye for goal and likes to get on the ball.

WHAT HAVE HIS COACHES SAID ABOUT HIM?

The U18s manager Kieran McKenna said last season: “He will be quite well known to the United fans who might have seen a little bit of him. He is a fantastic technician with a really good eye for a pass.

“What has been pleasing is he’s starting to add to the physical side of his game and is becoming more powerful and dynamic. Also, his attitude to his defensive work and responsibilities is improving.”