Rochdale’s teenage goalscorer Luke Matheson revealed he is green and yellow after his starring role in Dale’s brave League Cup penalty exit at Manchester United.
The 16-year-old's first senior goal took the Red Devils to penalties on Wednesday night before Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's stars averted a humiliating cup exit with a 5-3 spot kick victory.
Matheson is another gem from the Spotland academy and beat Norwich City midfielder Dan Adshead's record to become Dale's youngest-ever player at 15 years and 336 days last season.
The defender is still studying at school, alongside his first team breakthrough, and admitted he was expecting stick from his United-supporting mates.
"I'm a Norwich fan," he said, quoted on the BBC. "My dad's from Norwich, he brought me up with Norwich all my life.
"Most of my best mates are United fans. I have not turned my phone on yet. I am dreading it.
"I struck it and it hit the roof of the net and my body just took over.
"I sprinted to the Dale fans and did a knee slide. I thought I was going to go down the hill. It's a special, special moment.
"I would have been at school today (Wednesday). I am going in tomorrow to make up for it when we have day off as I have a psychology test. I can't wait for that. I don't think I will sleep.
"Rochdale and the school have been so supportive of me. I love learning; it is what I want to do.
"Football is not a guarantee. You never know what will happen. You could be the best player in the world but anything is possible. I want to have that back-up plan just in case."
The likes of United and Liverpool are reportedly tracking Matheson but a starring role at Old Trafford will not go to his head insisted Rochdale boss Brian Barry-Murphy.
"Luke is an exceptional guy," he said. "He is one player you would have no problems staying grounded and true to his family.
"His GCSE results were incredible and mirror his football. We ignore his age really. We treat him as a normal player."
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