I can guess. This story was from 10 years ago and the article says the kid was recently trying to get back into English football. So I can imoagine a scenario where he's being touted around, someone shows interest and the question is asked "What are you going to do for us?". The answer is negative, or not considered good enough, and the father reveals what City did for him.
Whoever he's revealed that to has then contacted a journalist, who just happens to be a United fan. Got to come clean here that Adam Crafton's family are good friends of mine and I've known him since he was a little boy. He's done some fantastic stuff previously but this is definitely not his finest hour.