Keep in mind the 16-year-old who scored for Rochdale in opposition to Manchester United within the Carabao Cup?
In September 2019, defender Luke Matheson netted a well-known equaliser at Previous Trafford to pressure a 1-1 attract a third-round tie that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s aspect ultimately received 5-3 on penalties.
The following day he was again to highschool finding out for his A-Ranges.
Quick ahead to 2026 and Matheson is a part of a Macclesfield squad driving the crest of a wave within the FA Cup and making ready to face Brentford within the fourth spherical on Monday.
The Silkmen have been catapulted into the general public eye since beating Crystal Palace within the third spherical for one of many largest shocks within the competitors’s historical past – however the 23-year-old is not any stranger to the highlight.
“I used to be on the bus on the best way to highschool the following morning with my mates,” Matheson recalled after his Previous Trafford heroics. “Refreshing Instagram, there was a thousand [likes] right here, one other thousand there. It was one of the vital surreal issues I’ve ever been by.
“I keep in mind the precise second of the objective, I can image it and let you know precisely what occurred. It was extra the aftermath I do not actually keep in mind.
“Even being on that pitch and travelling to that recreation was sufficient for me. Then to attain took it to a different degree. It is positively probably the greatest days of my life.”
Brentford would be the fourth Premier League opponent for Matheson, who additionally featured for Rochdale in a 1-1 residence draw in opposition to Newcastle within the FA Cup in 2020, earlier than his aspect misplaced the third-round replay 4-1 at St James’ Park.
He mentioned being remembered as {the teenager} who scored in opposition to Manchester United is one thing he’s pleased with, not ashamed by.
“I really like folks coming as much as me saying, ‘are you the child that scored in opposition to United?’ They at all times recognise me due to my hair,” mentioned the Manchester-born full-back.
“If that’s the pinnacle of my profession, it’s the pinnacle of my profession. Some gamers will dream about moments like that and I am fortunate that I obtained one at such a younger age.
“I used to be a child then and have slightly bit extra expertise now. I have been round completely different golf equipment, completely different experiences, completely different managers, completely different altering rooms.”
