Man Utd in transfer battle with Werder Bremen as both look to land 18-year-old Stoke defender Nathan Collins

MANCHESTER UNITED will have to battle Werder Bremen in the race to sign Stoke's 18-year-old defender Nathan Collins.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is trailing the 6ft 5in defender who made three first-team appearances for Stoke at the end of the season but they face competition from Germany.

SunSport told you United were keen on a deal after heeding the advice of former star Darren Fletcher.

And now it is understood Werder are one of two Bundesliga sides to have registered their interest in the Irish star.

The four-time German League winners have enquired about taking the Dubliner on loan with a view to buy.

German clubs have been scouring the English market for teenage talent following the success of players like Jordan Sancho.

The ex-Watford and Manchester City winger has become a regular in Gareth Southgate’s squad after starring for Borussia Dortmund.

And moving to Germany is becoming increasingly attractive to young players given how difficult breaking through in the Premier League has become.

But the last Irish-born player to feature in the German top flight was Alan Clarke who lined out for Blau-Weiss 90 Berlin the 1986-87 campaign.

Whether Collins, 18, would be tempted to try his luck in Germany remains to be seen, especially given the interest from United and with Stoke keen to tie him down to a new deal.

His current contract has two years to run so he is in no rush to make any decisions on his future.

United have yet to make a bid for the 18-year-old – and have been busy trying to recruit Leicester’s Harry Maguire for £70m.

After featuring against Swansea, Middlesbrough and Norwich City when Stoke had little to play for, Collins is set for a more prominent role in the new season if he stays put.

The club declined to release him to Ireland for the Under-19 European Championships this month because he is part of their plans and is currently training with the first team in pre-season.