Qualifying for today's Premier League Primary Stars Football Tournament led to a day to remember at Old Trafford for two Manchester primary schools.
The mixed team from Bollin Primary and the St Joseph's Catholic Primary girls' team came through regional qualifying to win the right to represent Manchester United at the tournament at Molineux Stadium, the home of Wolverhampton Wanderers.
As a reward, the two school teams received a personalised kit last month from United first-team players Alexis Sanchez, Eric Bailly, Lee Grant and Nemanja Matic.
Sanchez could not resist the chance to play in the match between the two school teams, even if he got nutmegged while in goal!
"To come to Old Trafford and meet the Foundation team and shake hands with a professional footballer, it's a chance in a lifetime," said Adam Taylor, teacher at Bollin Primary.
Reice Carmichael from St Joseph's said the event will boost the girls' team ahead of their trip to Wolverhampton and will have a positive impact on school coaches as well.
"Having this opportunity now that United have offered us, has been huge for their [the girls'] confidence inside and outside the classroom and out on the playground," Carmichael said. "It's crossed over with our sports leaders and how confident they are in delivering to the other children in the school."
At Molineux, as well as playing in the United kit, the teams will walk out from the tunnel to the Premier League anthem while the matches will be refereed by PL match officials.
As well as showcasing talent on the pitch, the event also celebrates the work of Premier League Primary Stars, which uses the appeal of football to inspire children and support teachers in more than 16,000 schools across England and Wales.
