Manchester United to face Real Madrid battle in signing 15-year-old Lorenzo Gonzalez

Manchester United are reportedly set to battle Real Madrid for 15-year-old striker Lorenzo Gonzalez.

According to the Daily Mail, the Swiss starlet, who plays for Servette in his homeland, has impressed the two clubs when he played for the Switzerland U15 team.

Gonzalez scored two goals for his country in their recent clash against Hungary in an U15 international and United had scouts watching him at the game.

But it was not only the Old Trafford club, as the report claims that Real Madrid have also had scouts present during the game and are set to battle the Red Devils for his signature.

Gonzalez is known for his pace and strength, and despite interest from other clubs around Europe, it is believed that the two football giants are in front of the queue to sign the Swiss forward.

The young striker, who plays for his club's U18 team is yet to break into the Servette first-team. Gonzalez is yet to agree professional terms with his current employers, and hence could be available for a relatively small fee unlikely to trouble the Premier League and La Liga giants.

Louis van Gaal has been keen on strengthen United's youth set up during his tenure and has already gone about adding talented youngsters from across the globe.

Meanwhile, former Red Devils goalkeeper Raimond van der Gouw believes that Real Madrid target David de Gea can be replaced if he departs Old Trafford this summer.

The former Old Trafford star, was deputy to Peter Schmeichel, and insists that he wants the Spanish goalkeeper should stay, but is confident that the club can find an alternative in case of his exit.

"I want De Gea to stay at United because he is now the complete goalkeeper. He's something very special and if he goes he's going to be a big loss," Van der Gouw said, as quoted by Manchester Evening News.

"If he stayed at United over the next five years he would become one of the club's biggest stars ever. But I can understand the lure of Real Madrid for him."

"But every player can be replaced. There is always another player out there who fits the bill or someone who will step up," the Dutchman added.