Luke Matheson: Macclesfield defender, who cost £1m as a teenager, in Old Trafford heroics and FA Cup dream

Remember the 16-year-old who scored for Rochdale against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup?

In September 2019, defender Luke Matheson scored a famous equalizer at Old Trafford to force a 1-1 draw in a third-round tie that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side eventually won 5-3 on penalties.

The next day he returned to school to study for his A-levels.

Fast forward to 2026, and Matheson is part of a Macclesfield side riding the crest of an FA Cup wave and preparing to face Brentford in the fourth round on Monday.

The Silkmen have been in the spotlight since beating Crystal Palace in the third round in one of the biggest shocks in the history of the competition – but the 23-year-old is no stranger to the spotlight.

“I was on the bus on the way to school the next morning with my mates,” Matheson recalled after his heroics at Old Trafford. “Instagram update, there were a thousand [likes] Here, and a thousand more there. It was one of the most surreal things I’ve ever experienced.

“I remember the actual moment of the goal, I can imagine it and tell you exactly what happened. It was the result that followed that I don’t really remember.

“Even being in that stadium and traveling to that game was enough for me. Then scoring took it to another level. It’s definitely one of the best days of my life.”

Brentford will be the fourth Premier League opponent for Matheson, who also featured for Rochdale in the 1-1 draw at home to Newcastle in the FA Cup in 2020, before his side lost the third-round replay 4-1 at St James’ Park.

He said that being remembered as the teenager who scored against Manchester United is something he is proud of, and not ashamed of.

“I love people coming up to me and saying: ‘Are you the kid who scored against United?’ “They always recognize me because of my hair,” the Manchester-born full-back said.

“If this is the pinnacle of my career, then it is the pinnacle of my career. Some players dream of moments like this and I’m lucky to have had one at such a young age.”

“I was a kid then and I have a bit more experience now. I’ve been at different clubs, different experiences, different managers, different changing rooms.”