Manchester United have denied they are attempting to negotiate a two-week trial for American teenager Freddy Adu later this month.

News of Adu's imminent arrival at Old Trafford surfaced in America yesterday.

However, United officials quickly rejected speculation this morning, placing a statement on the club's official website insisting the position had not changed from last year when Sir Alex Ferguson claimed he had no interest in the 17-year-old.

Reports claimed that United are intent on looking at the player and the views of Ferguson had not been sought when the initial statement was released.

Chelsea have also been linked with the Adu, whose Major League Soccer season has been brought to an end by DC United's failure to qualify for the end of year play-offs.

If Adu eventually arrives at United's Carrington training ground and does enough to persuade Ferguson to offer him a permanent contract, a transfer could go through as early as January, although a fee would have to be negotiated with MLS who, as with all US-based players, own Adu's registration.