Matt Crooks watched some of the world's best footballers from his Old Trafford seat, this week he'll be facing perhaps the greatest ever.
Crooks is a boyhood United fan who was in the Academy as a youngster before being released at 14. He's since fashioned a successful career which has included spells with Huddersfield Town, Rangers and Middlesbrough among others.
As a hopeful young teen in the United system he aspired to reach the top and in the early hours of Thursday morning the midfielder could find himself marking Lionel Messi or tackling Luis Suarez in front of a sell-out crowd and mammoth TV audience when the Major League Soccer season kicks off. READ MORE: United had a point about Kane's 'disadvantages' amid Hojlund form READ MORE: United have a new-look midfield option Crooks signed for MLS outfit Real Salt Lake this month from Championship club Middlesbrough.
The Stateside season kicks off this week and Real Salt Lake are in action on opening night (Kick-off 1am Thursday UK time) against Messi's Inter Miami, co-owned by United great David Beckham.
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