City rookie Oliver McBurnie is aiming to make the grade at Valley Parade after proving a smash hit for Manchester United.

The 17-year-old was a scoring sensation as they won the famous Milk Cup youth tournament in Northern Ireland, netting five times to earn the golden boot.

McBurnie, who joined up with United on “work experience”, now hopes to put that into practice for his goal of landing a City pro contract at the end of the season.

The willowy striker is tipped as a potential James Hanson in the making – and the “unbelievable” chance to rub shoulders with some Old Trafford superstars has only whetted his appetite.

McBurnie said: “To see the facilities at Man U and the attention to detail, it’s what you want to aim for in the future. It was such an experience and I was nervous when I first trained with them at Carrington.

“Wayne Rooney, Nani and (Antonio) Valencia were on the pitch next to me – it was unbelievable!

“Then Nani and Valencia came in the pool for a game of water polo with us. I was a bit starstruck but loved every minute of it.

“It went brilliantly and I managed to get on the scoresheet a few times. The club helped me so much and the captain Andreas (Pereira) kept my shirt from the final and I got it signed.

“It’s a good memento and I’ve got it framed on the wall next to my winner’s medal.

“But now it’s all about getting that contract. Playing with Man U was one of the best experiences of my life but that’s gone now and I’ve just got to crack on with Bradford.

“It’s a massive step from apprentice to becoming a pro but I’m hopeful.”

The United opportunity came about through Peter Horne, City’s head of youth operations. He has known their under-18s coach Paul McGuinness and head of youth recruitment Derek Langley for many years.

Horne said: “I got a phone call asking if we could help them out for the Milk Cup with a good striker.

“That was on the back of Oli putting in a fantastic shift at Middlesbrough for the youth team in a friendly. It just seemed only right that I recommended him – and he didn’t take much persuading!

“He’s a big prospect and I’m quite confident that the gaffer feels the same. If he knuckles down, he’s got a massive opportunity.

“Oli is 6ft 2in and all teams like a big ’un up front. He’s got all the James Hanson attributes nearly, he just needs to probably fill out and toughen up a little bit.

“But we potentially have someone to fill Hanson’s shoes if we ever have to.”

McBurnie added: “We have a few similar attributes and I definitely look up to Hans. There are a lot of things I can learn from him which can hopefully improve me.”

Here is the YouTube clip of McBurnie's goal against Cherry Orchard in the Milk Cup youth tournament.