GOALSCORER extraordinaire Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says that Kieran Lee will remember his match-winner at Crewe for the rest of his life.

The 18-year-old Stalybridge lad kept a calm head to fire Manchester United into the fourth round of the Carling Cup with just two minutes of extra time remaining at Gresty Road on Wednesday night.

And United legend Solskjaer, who had scored the Reds' first goal, was quick to praise the teenager who signed a two-year professional deal at Old Trafford earlier this year.

Solskjaer admits he was already planning where to place his spot kick in the looming penalty shoot-out when Lee struck, racing on to Alan Smith's pass.

"Kieran scoring on his debut makes a fantastic headline," said 33-year-old Solskjaer, who has scored 121 goals for United in a 10-year career.

"He will remember it for the rest of his life. I was starting to think about where to put my penalty, but Kieran did well for us."

Lee says that scoring the winner had him "buzzing!"

Lee, who only has a handful of reserve appearances to his name and, by popping up on the right flank, was a long way from his usual position of left-back, found the bottom corner to send the Reds into a fourth round tie at Southend in the next round.

There were just over two minutes left when Lee struck, but the youngster says his immediate delight was for the team.

"I'm delighted with the win," he said. "We might not have deserved it really because we didn't play very well but I'm delighted to score and the win was the most important thing.

"I just wanted to make sure I got a shot off, and luckily it went in. It was buzzing really!

"I was just happy to be in the squad and delighted when I got the chance to come on. You learn a lot about what it's like being at first team level and being able to play with world-class players means you learn a lot."

Impressed

Lee was one of five young players handed their debuts on the night, and for teammate Michael Barnes it was a real fairytale.

Just a year ago, the 18-year-old from Chorley was playing in the youth team at Conference North side Lancaster City.

He impressed a United scout during an FA Youth Cup match, was invited to a six-week trial with the Reds' Academy side at Carrington, and ended up landing a contract last December.

The tricky winger earned his first-team call-up at Crewe after a couple of outstanding displays for the reserves this season, and came on at half-time as a replacement for fellow debutant Phil Marsh.

After playing the whole of the second-half, including a cheeky backheel through the legs of marking full-back Jon Otsemobor, he limped off injured in the first period of extra time.

But Lee said the tie was a great experience for all the Academy lads involved.

"All the youngsters have been delighted to get the chance to be involved," he said. "I think all the reserve players have looked at the game and hoped for their chance, and I was one of them."

Now Lee is hoping to get the nod again for the trip to Roots Hall on November 7 or 8.

"We'll all be hoping for another chance," he said. "Down at Southend it's a long trip but everyone will be looking forward to going there."

A sell-out 12,000 crowd is guaranteed for the first competitive meeting between the two sides with Southend's supporters no doubt dreaming of a shock win against the Premiership leaders.

Who was the most impressive youngster on show against Crewe? Have your say.