Talented Michael, who was signed by Wigan Athletic when he was just 14 years old, proved he could perform on and off the pitch when he picked up an astounding 10 top-grade A* GCSEs.
And next year he will become one of a growing number of footballers who spend as much time developing their academic skills as their sport.
As a full-time YTS student at Wigan Athletic he will split his time between the team's training ground and Preston College, where he will study AS levels in maths and biology.
Nickey Burns, chief executive of the Footballers Education Society, says bright young footballers are keen to take up places with clubs at 16. But with 80 per cent of those boys dropped by clubs by the age of 21, he said gaining educational qualifications is as important as developing their sporting skills.
"People have this stereotype that footballers have their brains in their feet - but that's not true," said Mr Burns.
During his last two years at Walkden High School 16-year-old Michael has already had to learn how to balance the demands of sport and study, which he admits can be tricky.
Even while his pals were collecting their results from school, Michael was taking part in a gruelling training session. It was only when headteacher Elaine Hilton phoned the training ground that he learned the good news.
"I did do quite a lot of work at home and a lot of coursework so that I had a good chance in the exams," said Michael. "But I didn't believe it at first and I was really surprised."
Despite piling on the pressure, Michael says that as the stresses of revision and coursework kicked in, being able to battle it out on the football pitch was a welcome relief.
"In a way, playing football does take your mind off it," he said.
Head Ms Hilton said: "Michael is exceptional. He has a maturity beyond his years and he is a gifted footballer. He's a top of the tree all-rounder, who keeps staff on their toes."
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Ure not on Champ man though are u mike!!
no but hes on football manager