Travis Binnion smiled bigger than usual when Manchester United equalised against Everton.
The Under-21s made a nightmare start to the game at Leigh Sports Village, conceding within just a minute, and Binnion shouted at Ethan Wheatley: "When Elyh has the ball, make sure he can see your feet."
Those instructions preceded a goal to be proud of: Elyh Harrison played a 50-yard pass to Wheatley, who laid it off brilliantly and scored just a moment later after receiving it again.
It was a proper United goal. It was moved from goalkeeper to striker with pace, moved to the wing and played into the feet of Wheatley in the box, making it almost unstoppable for Everton.
Binnion turned and applauded Harrison in between the sticks. Harrison's distribution is one of his finest strengths as a goalkeeper and his passing range was an outlet for United against a physical Everton side, who started a few players who already look cut out for the demands of the men's game.
Wheatley was back at United on Friday night after tasting the men's game at Walsall. The youngster joined Walsall on loan in the January window but has only made four appearances for the club.
Walsall are fourth in League Two and could be promoted to the third tier of English football. Wheatley has found it difficult to get minutes in a promotion-chasing side and featured for the U21s to get a feel of the ball, something which is not uncommon for United loanees to do.
It was great to see him back in a United shirt again, but it was even sweeter to see a Rochdale shirt before kick-off, with the youngsters paying tribute to academy graduate Joe Thompson.
Thompson bravely fought cancer three times and passed away at the age of 36 last week. His Rochdale shirt was lifted by the
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