Sources close to the player have suggested he would even turn down the chance of Premier League football with Sunderland to fulfil that ambition.
The Norwegian international has caught the attention of new Sunderland boss Steve Bruce, while Tottenham, Fulham and Italian outfit Torino are also tracking the 21-year-old.
But Skjelbred is watching developments at St James’s Park anxiously from afar in a bid to keep his dream of signing for United alive.