Michael Chopra is already an England Schoolboy international and has an eye for goal, and signed his first professional contract in December 2000 committing him to Newcastle until June 2003. Chopra has been with Toon since 1993 and has played at international level for England at Under 15, Under 16, Under 17 and Under 19 levels.

In 2000/01, Chopra hit 28 goals for United's Under 17s and two for the Under 19s, helping the U17s to the FA Premier League Academy Under 17 Play Off Final. The following season in the Academy Under 19 League, he scored 14 goals in the first nine games of the season and also scored in the Reserves' 3-1 Northumberland Senior Cup triumph against Bedlington in September after coming on as a late substitute.  

Chopra made his full team debut against Everton in the Worthington Cup tie in November 2002, but missed a penalty in the shoot-out. He then came off the bench to play in the Nou Camp against Barceloan, and did the same in Leverkusen. Chops then went on loan to Watford in March 2003, and scored five goals in as many games, including four in a 7-4 win against Burnley.

Chopra will be hoping that he can shine in 2003-04, and it looks as though United have a real gem in their hands in Michael Chopra.