If I were to make a list of my least favourite football teams, I reckon Chelsea and Arsenal would come joint top. Well, perhaps Chelsea would just edge it it my 'most hated' league - if only because Arsenal's recent struggles have imbued them with perhaps a tiny degree more humility than that arrogant Portugeezer down at the Bridge.

In an ideal world, I'd love to see Jose Mourinho's pompous preeners and Arsene Wenger's true Brits both lose this afternoon. Such a lovely thought...but about as illogical as most of my thinking these days.

I'm not a great fan of Manchester United, either - though it's hard to be downright antagonistic towards them when your son-in-law is an Old Trafford season-ticket holder and your grandson an embryo United player. Yes, our Charlie - who celebrated his seventh birthday just a couple of weeks ago - was hauled in by the United Academy scouts three months ago after being 'spotted' playing for his club side, Bury Amateurs Under 8s.

He's since been training every Thursday at The Cliff with the cream of his age group in the area - and a couple of days ago, we got the news from his coaches at United that he's been invited to move up to the next level.

The skill levels of some of the youngsters at the Academy has to be seen to be believed - mini Cristiano Ronaldos and Ryan Giggses abound by the score. But then again, that's presumably why they've been snaffled up from local parks football. The coaches have been trying to develop Charlie's natural skills to their full potential - but what has impressed me is that while he may lack the magic touches of some of his peers, those in authority have seen in him a hard-tackling kid with no fear and natural vision.

Even at seven years old, the different qualities of players are emerging. Defenders, midfielders, strikers, wingers - the experts can see the type of player that is emerging naturally. In Charlie's case, he's likely to end up playing in defence or midfield - perhaps unusual at his age, where all most kids want to do is ram the ball into the opposition net.

Of course, I know Charlie's chances of becoming a professional footballer are negligible. The vast majority of the kids at the Academy will inevitably fall by the wayside. Indeed, I am realistic enough to believe if just one of the 12 players in his group ends up making money out of the game, it will be a bonus.

But I can always dream, can't I? And there's nothing I'd like to see more than Charlie and his United teammates making the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea eat a little humble pie. Roll on the 2021-22 season.