Manchester City star Raheem Sterling is proving to be the unlikely agent in helping Manchester United's pursuit of Leon Bailey.

Bailey is considered as one of the finest young talents in world football today and Premier League giants United have widely been reported to be interested in signing the Genk young gun.

City winger Raheem Sterling has formed a close bond with Bailey and the two have been sharing messages on Instagram.

Sterling reportedly told Bailey on the social media website: "Listen 'charge' push yourself as hard as you can because you will slowly make progress each and every day."

Bailey is a fan of his 'big brother' Sterling and he recently revealed that the England international is motivating him to reach greater heights.

Bailey told of Sterling: "One of the few people who push and motivate me to become a pro... I look up to him not as a football player but as a big brother that has always been there.

"I am confident of my skills and can only achieve excellence by working very hard. I train from 4-7pm Mondays-Thursdays and from 7am-6pm every Saturday and when I'm not training I'm studying which leaves very little time for socialising. Hard work and dedication will help you to achieve your goals."

Now according to the Manchester Evening News, Sterling's advice to Bailey could prove to be key in helping United stand a better chance of securing the services of the teenage sensation as he would at least have a familiar face in Manchester if he were to make the move.