Freddy Adu has been warned off a move to Manchester United by his club coach in the United States.

DC United coach Peter Nowak believes the Ghana-born 17-year-old, who is currently on trial with the Red Devils, could struggle in the rough and tumble of the Premiership and believes he should look to a different club for his first move in Europe.

"He's a young kid and he needs matches," Nowak told The Guardian. "I think he should go to PSV (Eindhoven) or Ajax or somewhere where they have a tradition of raising young players.

"At a place like Ajax the young kids come through together and they grow up together; the team is shaped around them. In the biggest environment at the club with the biggest budget it will be hard for them to wait for him to develop.

"I still feel he needs the minutes and the experience."

Adu became the youngest professional athlete in American sport when he signed a professional contract aged 14.  He is regarded as one of the most promising youngsters in the game today.