Brazilian superkid Phillippe Coutinho is being followed by Manchester United.

United had the attacking midfielder scouted in last year's U15 South American championship, but face competition from Real Madrid and Benfica for the Vasco da Gama prospect.

Coutinho has been likened to Barcelona star Lionel Messi and says: "I have a long way to go to reach the level of Messi, but it is an honour to be compared with him.

"Actually, my real idol is Kaka, who plays in the same position as me."