Wayne Rooney has compared Manchester United youngster Kobbie Mainoo to former midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger.
21.02.2024 - 07:47 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Matt Crooks watched some of the world's best footballers from his Old Trafford seat, this week he'll be facing perhaps the greatest ever.
Crooks is a boyhood United fan who was in the Academy as a youngster before being released at 14. He's since fashioned a successful career which has included spells with Huddersfield Town, Rangers and Middlesbrough among others.
As a hopeful young teen in the United system he aspired to reach the top and in the early hours of Thursday morning the midfielder could find himself marking Lionel Messi or tackling Luis Suarez in front of a sell-out crowd and mammoth TV audience when the Major League Soccer season kicks off.
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Crooks signed for MLS outfit Real Salt Lake this month from Championship club Middlesbrough. The Stateside season kicks off this week and Real Salt Lake are in action on opening night (Kick-off 1am Thursday UK time) against Messi's Inter Miami, co-owned by United great David Beckham. Messi-mania has added a whole new dimension to the MLS with sell-out crowds and hefty ticket prices the new normal for Miami.
For Crooks, who watched Beckham at United as a kid, it will be the latest and perhaps greatest chapter in a storied career that began at Old Trafford. The midfielder was born in Leeds but raised in Manchester and joined United aged eight having cheered them on from the terraces.
“We’ve had seats at Old Trafford in the family for over 40 years," he said, speaking to Teesside Live. “I’ve been going to matches since I was little, for as long as I can remember. It was with my Grandad at first, then my dad, and other members of the family as
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Will Smith and David Beckham were pictured hanging out at Inter Miami’s first game of the new MLS season on Wednesday night (February 21).The Oscar-winning actor was seen talking to the Miami co-owner and Beckham just before Lionel Messi’s side kicked off against Real Salt Lake in Florida.Smith and Beckham are long-time friends, and could be seen waving at the crowds before the game.
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In the first summer of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson years at Manchester United, a new midfielder was a priority. The club wanted Cesc Fabregas but saw three bids rejected by Barcelona. Thiago Alcantara was on the market, but David Moyes didn't fancy him. In the end, on deadline day, the first major signing of a new era was unveiled. Welcome to Old Trafford, Marouane Fellaini.