ANDY CRYER meets the Swindon youngster set for big things at Premiership side Manchester United.

FOR most schoolboys choosing between Chelsea or Manchester United is a decision you could only dream of.

But for 15-year-old Mitchell Bryant the dilemma' became a reality and, being a staunch United fan, there was only ever going to be one winner.

The former Ridgeway School pupil saw his life turned upside down in May when, playing for Southampton's academy, he was approached by scouts from both Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge.

Both put offers on the table but after visiting the Theatre of Dreams' any lingering doubts he may have had quickly vanished as he became the latest to join United's world famous youth set up.

Signing schoolboy forms signalled a major upheaval in his life, moving away from his home and family life in Moredon, Swindon, but he insists he has no regrets in his pursuit of the dream.

"It was hard moving away from my family for the first time," he said. "But I don't think there is anyone who would have turned the chance down.

"I am living the dream at the moment and it is hard to believe. I signed forms with Alex Ferguson before their Premiership game with Portsmouth and it was an unbelievable feeling.

"I still go to school every day and we train in the evenings and play games at weekends. The lads here in digs are brilliant and I settled in almost straight away."

Mitchell's allegiance to the Red Devils, most of his family support them as well, may have had a bearing on his decision but he insists it was future prospects that ultimately saw him snub Champions Chelsea.

He said: "The tradition at United is one of youngsters coming through and getting their chance. From George Best, to Gary and Phil Neville and David Beckham, they all came from the youth set up.

"At Chelsea, John Terry is the only one I can think of who has come through their ranks. They are perhaps more likely to bring in foreign stars and ignore their young talent.

"I get tickets for every United home game, if I am not playing myself, and now and again we do train with some of the older players if we have not got school."

The youngest of three brothers, Mitchell's first football team was Highworth Juniors who his dad, Andy, helped run.

After two years his goal-scoring exploits saw him attract the interest of Swindon Town and at the age of eight he joined their Centre of Excellence. Four years later, he moved on to Southampton and it was there he was given his chance of the big time.

"I know I still have a long way to go," he said. "Realistically I have a one in a hundred chance of ever playing in the first team here.

"But as United are at the very top even if I had to look elsewhere I could still have a chance of playing for another Premiership or Championship club. If I had still been at Southampton and been released it would have been harder for me.

"I'm not saying I won't make it here though as you look at the players who have been through the youth teams and think why can't that be me?"