Adu Not Headed for Manchester United

Or at the very least not until he turns 18. That is the earliest the teenager can earn an English work permit.

Adu spent the past two weeks in England on trial with Manchester United.
The super club's interest peaked when the teenager earned a cap with U.S. National Team last January against Canada.

About 20 minutes of game play and a yellow card later, Adu's first match with the U.S. National Team was over. The teenager had entered as a sub late in the 0-0 draw and failed to accomplish anything of note.

Adu struggled to earn a regular starting spot at D.C. United. D.C. Coach Peter Nowak rebuked and suspended the teenager multiple times in the last two seasons when Adu cried about his playing time to the press.

This year, the teenager tallied two goals and eight assists. He also earned at total of 29 starts, a vast improvement over his 16 starting appearances last season.

Adu's stats can not compete with the other young players in the MLS. Up until this season, Eddie Gaven outperformed Adu repeatedly. Despite being three years older than Adu, in 2004, they were the only teenagers seeing regular action on the field.

Adu did not win the rookie of year award in his debut season. Clint Dempsey took the title in 2004. Dempsey became a staple in the U.S. National Team's midfield and earned the U.S. Soccer Federation's Player of the Year Award for 2006.

Other players in the league consistently outshine the teenager. Despite being an incredibly talented American for his age, Adu does not have the proper set of tools to compete with teens in Europe.

At the age of 16, Wayne Rooney scored his first professional goal for Everton. Rooney dominated the English football scene from that moment. His bulldog style of player continues to earn him press attention and the attention of opposing backlines.

Christiano Ronaldo headlines Manchester United with Rooney in the offensive end of the pitch. At the age of 18, Ronaldo managed 39 starts for the Red Devils and scored eight goals. The Portuguese youngster is now a menace to all defenses in the UEFA Champions League.

Those who believe that Adu could compete with Ronaldo-type players for starting positions at a super club are mistaken. The teenager has yet to establish himself as a dominant force in the U.S.

Other young Americans have signed with the super clubs, only to be sent out. Kenny Cooper and Giuseppe Rossi sat with the Manchester United Reserves; just as Zak Whitbread wore a Liverpool reserves jersey. None of these Americans dawn the colors of their respective super clubs.

If Adu learns from the Americans abroad, he'll know which clubs to look at. Americans, who see the pitch, star for smaller European clubs like Manchester City, Fulham, Borussia Monchengladbach, or Heerenveen.

Once Adu lets go of the hype and press attention, he'll understand the reality of his situation. He's a talented American youngster, who hasn't quite proven himself. With some field time and development at a mid-table European team, he might one day earn a super club jersey. That time hasn't yet come.