Former Manchester United star Lou Macari says fans shouldn't expect too much if they sign Crewe Alexandra whizkid Nick Powell.

Macari wrote in The Sentinel: "Powell's volley from the edge of the area against Cheltenham would have graced the top flight, but we'll only know if the 18-year-old can make the step up once he's actually playing in the Premier.

"Lads who sign from the lower divisions and then play regularly in the Premier League are few and far between.

"Even if reports of a £4m bid from Manchester United for the Crewe youngster are true, that wouldn't mean Sir Alex Ferguson rated Powell as a guaranteed success.

"It's just that United can afford to take a £4m gamble on a player, particularly if the deal has appearance clauses built in."