Genoa striker Pietro Pellegri was in talks to sign for Manchester United in 2015.

Pellegri has burst onto the scene in Serie A, becoming one of Genoa's key players despite being just 16 years old.

BBC Sport says in 2015 United invited Pellegri to visit the club's Carrington training base following his superb form in the Manchester United Premier Cup in Salford.

Genoa knocked Real Madrid out of that tournament before losing on penalties in the final and Pellegri made a huge impression.

United asked him and his father to come to the club but they declined believing that it was too soon to join a team of that stature.

The cases of failed United youngsters such as Federico Macheda may have also played a part in Pellegri's decision to stay at Genoa.