Ex-Man Utd academy star John Cofie - former team-mate of Jesse Lingard & Paul Pogba - found not guilty of rape as two-week trial draws to a close

According to The Athletic, Cofie, 31, stood trial with Nathan Stuart at Manchester Minshull Street crown court - with both accused of raping the complainant in Trafford, Greater Manchester, in April 2019. After a two-week trial, the jury returned a unanimous not guilty verdict on Friday afternoon for the accused.

Cofie became the youngest ever £1 million ($1.27m) player when then-United boss Sir Alex Ferguson signed him from Burnley as a 14-year-old in 2007. The striker played alongside former Red Devils stars Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard in the club's youth ranks but never graduated to the first-team. Following loan spells at Royal Antwerp and Sheffield United, he was released in 2013.

After his release from United, Cofie joined then-Championship side Burnley but failed to make his mark at the Clarets. Following unsuccessful stints with Molde, Crawley Town, Wrexham, and more, the Ghana-born player retired from football in 2020.

The former footballer, who had three caps for England's under-17 side in 2010, is now reportedly working as a football coach at a Lancashire school.