Federico Macheda makes Geoff Shreeves feel old after his "fantasy" debut for Manchester United.
Will Champions League impact on the title race?
If Manchester United go on to win the Premier League this season, 17-year-old Federico Macheda will not get a medal as he won't have played enough games.
Such was the importance of the young colt's stunning debut strike I wouldn't be surprised that if the champions successfully defend their crown, the rest of the squad bestow some sort of honour upon him.
Make no mistake, if United had failed to win for a third successive league game all momentum would have been lost. To be at Old Trafford on Sunday was a privilege and a reminder of the wonderful twists and turns this game of ours throws up.
In his emotion-choked, pigeon English post match interview, Macheda said it was a dream come true. Dream? More like a fantasy. To come on as sub, score the winner in front of The Stretford End which puts your side top of the league is simply beyond belief.
Understandably comparisons were made with Steve Bruce's last-gasp winner against Sheffield Wednesday in 1993 but he was a seasoned pro and we are talking about a kid here.
Mind you he did make me feel my age when he revealed that it was his father he ran to after scoring, I thought it was his brother! I've gotten used to players being younger than me, but their dads!
Mind games
If it was refreshing to hear from the young man of the moment it was engaging to listen to his boss too. "The biggest threat to us in the league will come from the winners of the Liverpool - Chelsea Champions League tie," announced Sir Alex. Classic mind games or common sense? Only time will tell.
Sure the losers will be deflated but you could argue the winners will then be buoyed. If we had three late dramatic winners in displays of smash and grab at the weekend I'm sure it will be altogether different fare at Anfield on Wednesday.
There has only ever been victory by a single goal margin or penalties when Liverpool and Chelsea have met in the knock-out stages of the Champions League.
These games are so tight and chess like with both sides knowing everything about the other. Tactical manoeuvring will be the order of the day.
Liverpool have done the double over Chelsea this season but the Londoners eased past the Merseysiders last time, so who are favourites? Impossible to say.
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