I watched 17-year-old score spectacular goal - it's no wonder Man United are scouting him

Manchester United are reportedly keeping closed tabs on Port Vale's 17-year-old prospect Baylee Dipepa as the Red Devils look to take a more long-term approach to the type of signings they are making under the Sir Jim Ratcliffe era.

The teenager may not be well-known outside the lower-league scene but he is certainly causing a stir in League One right now with the relegation-threatened Valiants.

Bringing United fans up to speed with Dipepa's progress is our very own veteran Port Vale reporter Mike Baggaley, who has profiled everything you need to know about the promising youngster.

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Who is he?

Baylee Dipepa, aged 17, has been in the Vale youth system since under-nines level. The striker, from Blythe Bridge in North Staffordshire, has broken into the first team this season, making one league start and another 15 appearances off the bench in the league, up to and including Saturday’s win over Bristol Rovers.

He became the second-youngest scorer in the club’s history when he came off the bench to score at home to Shrewsbury on March 9 with a poacher’s goal from close range after finding space in the area. He followed that with a much more spectacular goal on Saturday when he controlled the ball 35 yards out, turned and beat three players before beating the keeper with a low drive from the edge of the area.

That was his fourth goal in nine days having been called up for England under-17 duty the previous week and scored three in three games at St George’s Park, including two after coming off the bench for his debut against Northern Ireland.

What sort of player is he?