The 'lightning quick' talent Man United let go: who will sign him up?

The departure of Man United whizzkid Paul Pogba to Juventus on a free transfer grabbed headlines this summer, so it may have escaped your attention that Ezekiel Fryers - another highly rated youngster among the club's youth ranks - has also left after failing to agree new terms at Old Trafford.

Mooted to be joining Spurs last month, Fryers remains a free agent, but just how good is he? talkSPORT takes a look...

Name: Ezekiel Fryers
Position: Centre-back, left-back
Club: Free agent
Date of birth: 9 September 1992
Birthplace: Manchester, England
International appearances: Three caps for England U19

NEED TO KNOW
Man United were privately furious when the 19-year-old defender failed to show for contract talks following the completion of his deal in June 2012. "We haven't heard anything from Zeki Fryers," Fergie admitted. "I don't know what's happening there but he's not been in touch with the club." Fryers has been highly rated at youth level for several years, turning out for England U16, U17 and U19 teams. This summer, he spent time training with Spurs, but since United have developed his talent for three years, AVB can be expected to fork out as much as £6m to land the youngster at a tribunal. Belgian side Standard Liege have also expressed an interest and would pay significantly less compensation because they don't compete with Man United domestically.

FIVE FACTS
1) A natural left-back capable of filling in as centre-half, Fryers formed part of Man United's FA Cup Youth winning team of 2011, alongside Paul Pogba and Ravel Morrison.

2) When the 19-year-old rejected a £1,500-a-week contract offer from Man United, Newcastle and Spurs were quick to alert his agent of their interest and Fryers spent several weeks training in North London with AVB and co.

3) Fryers stood out for England at youth-level, turning out as a central defender in his first few caps. So much so, in fact, that England's coaching staff pushed him into a more advanced midfield role, where he operated as a box-to-box player, breaking up play and demonstrating creativity with a splendid range of left-peg passing.

4) Last season, Fryers made two first starts - both in the Carling Cup - and made a further four substitute appearances, including his Champions League debut at home to Otelul Gelati.

5) Fryers once described Man United as the club of his dreams, but was unhappy with the offer made by Fergie and concerned about how many first team opportunities he would get this season.

HE SAYS
"It's all about working hard with the reserves and getting fitter so that I’m ready for whenever these chances might come again." - After his debut against Leeds in September 2011

THEY SAY
"He's lightning quick, the boy, absolutely greased lightning. He was terrific, not overawed." - Alex Ferguson, after Fryers' debut against Leeds in September 2011

VIDEO EVIDENCE