Croatian Starlet Not Thinking of Manchester United Move

Dinamo Zagreb youngster Alen Halilovic has played down a potential move to Manchester United.

The 16 year old is expected to be the newest player off the production line at Zagreb, following in the footsteps of Luka Modric and Eduardo.

Such is the potential of the teenager that both United and Real Madrid have both been linked with his services, but Halilovic has rejected the claims, while he says that comparisons with Lionel Messi are inaccurate.

"I read in the newspapers that I look like Leo Messi when I play," Halilovic told Jutarnji List. "But I think the comparison with Messi is just too much.

"There is only one Messi. I admire him, he is a role model for many young players, but I don't know if anyone can be like him.

"Stories about Real Madrid and Manchester United? I don't give much thought about those kind of stories.

"Dinamo will decide what will happen to me, all I have to do is just try to develop as much as I can. Everything else doesn't matter right now."

Zagreb have a habit of bringing through some of Crotaina's finest talents, and in Halilovic look to have developed yet another star of the future.

The nation's media flocked to watch Halilovic during Thursday's first team training session to watch Halilovic in action; such is the attention on the youngster.

Dinamo coach Ante Cacic says the club requires protection if he is to become an overnight star for the club.

"We must be cautious," Cacic said. 2The goal is to work and train with the first-team to bring him to the highest level. He will continue to play with the juniors but we will not wait long for his debut with the professional team."

Not that he is devoid of skills, the youngster has quite a left-foot for his age and has the pace and tenacity to torment opponents.

"Alen is something. He hits the ball differently and it will be interesting to follow his development. Given his talent and potential, the impression is that he has no limits."

Halilovic is likely to take his place in the Zagreb team for the Champions League encounter with Paris Saint Germain and will hope to replicate the impressive performances of Mateo Kovacic and Sime Vrsjalko in Europe's premier club competition last season.

United moved for youngster Angelo Henriquez in the summer as Sir Alex Ferguson continues to look to lay the foundations for the future at the club.

Ferguson used Wednesday's League Cup tie to blood a number of youngsters, including Michael Keane, Scott Wooton and Ryan Tunnicliffe.

But it was the club's present that was brought into sharp focus following their 3-2 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford, where another shaky performance again raised questions over United's transfer policy.