The Red Devils hope the move will give them a future advantage over local rivals Manchester City as Jackson and his family support the league leaders. Club scouts spotted Jackson when he was just 3 years old playing at a local community soccer program. They invited the player to train with the (youth) team and his parents accepted.
“His idols are Joe Hart and Mario Balotelli and at first he was mortified that he was having to train with United but he seems to be getting over that a bit now,” Andy Jackson said about his son. “He loves training with the club and it’s an amazing opportunity for him.
“Everywhere we go people notice him because of his football talent, whether it’s on the park or on holiday. People just stand there and watch him, they can’t believe he’s only five because he’s so good.”
Young Jackson will not be tied to the defending English Premier League champions in any way as the club cannot register him in its youth academy until he reaches 9 years old. He will practice with United’s youth team (presumably the U-10s) — some feat for a 5-year-old with quick feet — once a week.
The elder Jackson insists he’s not pushing the prodigy toward a career in the sport. He is simply allowing his son to do something he loves in a place he dreams about.
“We haven’t set him any long-term goals,” he said. “The moment he stops enjoying football is the moment we look at doing something else with him. There’s no pressure on him at all but it would be nice if he plays for City one day.”
Photo via Flickr/amigarad
