I had Scholes ahead of me

IT WOULD have felt like an impossible task for any young midfielder at Manchester United.

- By Scott McDermott

Somehow trying to force your way into a side that boasted talent such as Paul Scholes, Michael Carrick and Juan Mata, to name a few.

So there was no shame when Joe Rothwell had to leave Old Trafford without being able to break into a star-studded Red Devils first team.

Instead, after 15 years at the club having joined them at the age of six, Rothwell vowed to fight his way back.

He knew he might never get the chance to join United again.

But the kid who sat in the stands watching them compete in the Champions League made a promise to himself that he'd reach the big time.

He achieved his goal of playing in the Premier League six years later when he signed for Bournemouth.