BUDDING football ace Daniel Nardiello proved his worth on the football pitch when he made his Manchester United debut against old foes Arsenal.

But this week he proved his brains weren't just in his feet when he collected his advanced GNVQ in leisure and tourism alongside fellow pupils at Ashton-on-Mersey School.

Although Daniel is poised for a professional career he, like all young footballers, knows that that could come to an abrupt end.

And that's why all the teenagers at Manchester United combine their training programme with academic studies at the Trafford secondary school.

Daniel, who collected his certificate at a ceremony at the Old Trafford ground, said: ''I enjoyed the leisure and tourism course and I was glad to get this. It has been a good laugh and we have had good teachers.

''If I don't become a footballer then hopefully I can use this to get more qualifications. It's always something to fall back on.''

Daniel is now spending his third year at Ashton-on-Mersey, helping the PE staff.

''I enjoy working with the kids. I didn't realise how hard it would be to work with young lads but it has been good,'' he said.

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