Manchester United squeaked through in the EFL Cup last night after another lacklustre performance, this time against League One outfit Rochdale.
The 5-3 penalty shoot-out victory after a 1-1 draw set up a trip to Stamford Bridge in late October, and the match also saw a former Red return to Old Trafford.
Academy product Oliver Rathbone came back to face his former employers, putting in a strong midfield display in a battling team performance.
Another United academy graduate Scott McTominay, who didn’t play, took to Instagram to post a classy message alongside a picture of him with Rathbone following the match.
Former teammates
Rathbone’s was a name more avid Reds may well have heard plenty about as he came through the ranks at Old Trafford, but he was released in 2016 without playing a first-team match for the club.
Rochdale took a chance on him and he has established himself in the club’s midfield.
McTominay made the grade where Rathbone didn’t manage to and said of the Scotland international in the Guardian: “When I look at Scott McTominay now, still a friend and someone who has had loads of difficulties with injuries but kept coming back for more, I can only admire him for dealing with a massive amount of pressure.
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“Maybe Scotty was surprised when he was given the chance, but I was not surprised he took it so well.”
It’s clear to see there’s still a huge amount of affection between the players.
Rathbone certainly did himself justice last night, before being replaced on 81 minutes, impressing up against Paul Pogba.
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