The Red Devils signed Davide Petrucci, 16, from Roma, who were powerless to stop the striker leaving.

Petrucci tipped as the next Francesco Totti has seen his wages leap from £16,000 a year to the maximum of £95,000 a year allowed.

But it is the chance for his father to work in the gardens of Manchester that have helped to swing the deal.

Petrucci said: Going to play for the strongest club in the world is a great opportunity for me. It was hard to say no, even though I am a Roma fan.

But United have offered my father Stefano a job as a gardener.

Roma will receive just £200,000 in compensation for Petrucci, who hit 14 goals in 19 youth games last season,

An editorial in the newspaper Il Romanista said: It is a nightmare. In three or four years Petrucci will be worth 100 times more.

Petrucci added: Now Ill be at the same club as Cristiano Ronaldo. *lo**y hell, what a player!