The ex-Man Utd wonderkid helping youngsters find clubs

Febian Brandy played for Manchester United in the 2007 FA Youth Cup final

"Number nine, number nine, can you sign this?" Febian Brandy's eyes light up as he recalls a fan's request almost two decades ago.

Brandy encountered the autograph-hunter while he was shining for Manchester United's youth team in the NI Milk Cup in the mid-noughties. Some of his then team-mates still tease him with the line.

Manchester United lost on penalties to Liverpool in the 2007 FA Youth Cup final

"When we got to the airport there were people there greeting us," Brandy recalls of his 2005 and 2006 trips. "We were treated like royalty over there because of the Manchester United badge."

Brandy did not win the tournament. He came closest in 2005 when United lost to eventual winners Barcelona - who counted future World Cup winner Sergio Busquets amongst their ranks - in the semi–finals.

"The possession was probably 90% for them, 10% to us," Brandy says. "And they probably had about 36 shots - 20 of them on target. We probably had two."

Having twice fallen short of lifting the trophy, Brandy, 35, is now back in Coleraine for a third shot at glory. Only this time he will be on the sidelines as manager of the newly-formed Skouted FC.

Conceived after Manchester-born Brandy's playing career ended in 2017, Skouted is his way of helping others reach the footballing heights he could not quite obtain.

Skouted began life as a mobile app where players at all levels can upload clips and prospective employers can view them remotely. It has been downloaded in 93 countries and Brandy estimates that over 300 professional trials have come about because of its use.

As part of expansion plans, the retired forward is currently seeking external investment with the aim of setting up a "complex where players can come in and improve".

"We want to show the pro academies what type of players we're producing," he added.

Travelling to compete in what has now been re-christened the SuperCupNI is another step on that journey.

The tournament began in 1983 and is now one of youth football's most famous events. There are three age group categories, with Skouted FC competing in the Boys Premier section for under-16s.

The competition's alumni list is impressive, with United's renowned Class of 92 claiming victory in 1991. Marcus Rashford, Andreas Pereira and Danny Welbeck have also featured.

Brandy didn't expect his relatively unknown team to be accepted into the tournament but emailed in the hope of a place.

To his surprise, organisers extended an invite and Skouted FC were drawn against United in the group stage.

Brandy is funding the trip himself and estimates that his scouts have cast an eye over more than 400 players in the past few months.

A handful have previous academy experience, including at Manchester City, but Brandy says the majority have either been 'overlooked or just not had the opportunity'.

His squad, including two players from the USA, have trained together just twice, but Brandy believes that can be a benefit.

"In football you often need to gel together very quickly," he tells BBC Sport.

And so, as well as talent and mental strength, "you also need to have that oomph about you to think 'if I get thrown into a different environment, can I handle it?'"

Brandy is adamant Skouted FC are not travelling to make up the numbers. Established opponents will be wary, not wanting to fall to a scratch side and he wants to take advantage of that.

To progress, Skouted FC must top a group containing United, with an uphill task getting even steeper after a 3-1 defeat by United States side Intercontinental Football Academy in their opening game on Monday. But Brandy is relishing Tuesday night's match with United (7pm kick-off).

"The pressure's not on me at all. Because it's me and they know what I'm like - if I get a good result against them, they won't hear the end of it."