Rochdale's right defender Luke Matheson had a great evening last night - a full match against Manchester United itself. The guy is only 16 years old - for him, it's his first game against the top team. Also on Old Trafford. As a result, Luke performed powerfully - on 76 minutes he punched the ball into Sergio Romero's
For Luke, this was the first goal in adult football. But powerful celebrations did not suit: "Rochdale" lost the penalty (3:5), and also Matheson the next morning to go to school - he has a test in psychology.
Yeah, yeah, the guy who almost knocked MU out of the League Cup is still in school. Just a month ago, Luke found out the results of the G.C.S.E. State Examination of Secondary Education (as in the United States or Hogwarts). Coach Rochdale said that Luke's grades were excellent.
Actually, I had to go to school today," said Matheson after the match. - We'll have to make up for it tomorrow when the team will have a day off. I have a psychology test, I am very worried. I do not think I will fall asleep today.
But the 16-year-old defender said that his studies are on the same level as football:
"Football is not a guarantee of a bright future, but a very adult judgment from a teenager. - You never know what will happen. You can become the best player in the world, but something else can happen. I want to have a backup plan. I like to learn - both the club and the school support me in this.
Luke was also afraid to watch messages after the game - a lot of his friends support Manchester United. Matheson himself drowned at the submarine station for not the most populous team - Norwich. It's simple: Luke's dad is from Norwich - he raised his son with love for his native club.
A year ago, Luke made his debut in big football - he went on the field in the match of the Football League Trophy (a competition in which the clubs of the Submarine Label and the champion do not participate). Last season, Rochdale reached the finals but lost to Man City youth. Even in that game, Matheson was the youngest player on the field.
Matheson plays for England's U17 team and attracted the attention of the same MJ and Liverpool. Perhaps he will be invited to the top club. Right after Luke finishes school.
By the way, there was a real day of teenagers in the League Cup. Even the top clubs of the Submarine Submarine Label were shining with young players:
- Mason Greenwood scored for MJ. Last season, the jokes about "today on the field, and tomorrow morning at school" were about him. In this Greenwood seems to have finished his studies and is breaking the records of the club.
- For "Liverpool" played 16-year-old Harvey Elliott. The guy came from Fulham - he has already become the youngest player in the history of nuclear submarines. And yesterday he showed that he was also madly talented - he drove the defense of MK Dons well and got into the crossbar 2 times. The fans chose Harvey as the best player in the match.
Klopp got a lot of young people out, and they didn't fail: young Ki-Jan Hoover scored his first goal, and Kevin Kelleher defended his first match by 0 - although MK Dones shot 2.6 xG.
- Chelsea this season trusts the pupils. These guys blew up Grimsby Town. Rhys James, like Matheson, is a right-wing defender and scored in the first game as a base.
Also, Callum Hudson-Odoi came back after an injury, signed a new contract and scored a goal.