Manchester United are monitoring the progress of Nice youngster, Diacko Fofana, according to reports from France.

Scouts from Old Trafford travelled to France on Saturday to watch the 17-year-old right-back make his debut for Nice’s first team in their 1-0 defeat at Montpellier. Fofana started the game but was substituted after 60 minutes.

The youngster moved to Nice last summer after playing for the youth academies at Le Havre and then Caen.

Meanwhile, United are hopeful of coming to an agreement over a new contract with 18-year-old midfielder Paul Pogba (pictured).

The Frenchman made his Premier League debut in United’s 2-0 victory over Stoke on Tuesday and after seeing him linked with Serie A sides Inter Milan and Juventus, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says he is hopeful that Pogba will sign a new deal with the club.

“Pogba did very well. The boy has great talent and tremendous physique for an 18-year-old. You can’t believe it.

“We are negotiating his contract at the moment. It is a bit complicated at the moment because he has changed his agent a couple of times but the boy wants to stay, that is obvious. Hopefully we can get it done soon.”

Pogba was said to be impatient for first-team football and had only played in United’s Carling Cup campaign before his Premier League run-out on Tuesday. His current deal runs out at the end of the season.