Manchester United Complete deal with teenage sensation Nick Powell worth £6m

Nick Powell (centre) celebrates scoring for Crewe against Cheltenham Town in the League Two Play-Off Final last. 

Manchester United have completed their second signing of the summer by completing a deal worth up to £6m for Crewe Alexandra teenager Nick Powell.The 18-year-old attacking midfielder, who scored in Crewe’s League Two Play-Off final victory against Cheltenham last month, signed a four-year contract after passing a medical at Manchester United Carrington training ground on Tuesday.Powell’s move comes a week after United completed the £17 million purchase of Japanese midfielder Shinji Kagawa from Borussia Dortmund.United have beaten off competition from Everton, Arsenal and Chelsea to sign the England Under-18 international, who had been with Crewe from the age five-years-old.“We have scouted Nick for months now,” claimed Sir Alex Ferguson following the completion of the deal. “He is an exceptional talent and has been schooled well at Crewe."I’m delighted he has chosen to come to United. He has a lot to offer and we are all looking forward to working with him."Crewe are set to receive an initial £4 million for Powell – a record for a League One club – and the deal could ultimately be worth a further £6 million for the Gresty Road outfit should the youngster go on to win honours and full England caps while at United.Powell follows England internationals such as David Platt, Geoff Thomas and Dean Ashton in securing a big transfer after starting his career at Crewe and he admits to being hugely excited by the move to Old Trafford.He said: “It really is a dream come true to be signing for Manchester United. I have had a great time at Crewe and I would like to thank them for helping me to develop as a player over the past 13 years."I’m excited about continuing my development with Sir Alex and the world-class players in the squad.“The thought of making the step up to the Premier League next season is an exciting prospect. I can’t wait to get started.”Despite earlier suggestions that Powell would be loaned back to Crewe on completion of his move to United, it is understood that no such agreement has been struck.And although Powell may yet be loaned out to a Championship club next season, he is likely to travel with United’s first-team squad on the summer tour to South Africa and China before Ferguson decides on the next step for the youngster.