BOOTHSTOWN’S Sarah MacManus is dreaming of becoming the female equivalent of Cristiano Ronaldo after netting twice on her debut for the Manchester Girls Centre of Excellence’s under-12s side.

Like her Manchester United hero, Sarah plays on the wing. And the 12-year-old St Mary’s RC High School pupil is being tipped to make it as a professional player by Beechfield United under-13s manager Susan Millidge.

Susan said: "Sarah is very talented. She only played with us for 12 months but I noticed the potential straight away.

"I took her to the Centre of Excellence trials after being asked if we had any outstanding young players. There were 169 girls there from all over the UK but she came through with no problems and scored two first half goals on her Centre of Excellence debut against Wolves.

"She’ll now play with them for the whole season, getting the best training and playing against the best players in the country. And every year one girl is chosen to play for their country so there is a big incentive for Sarah to do well."

Sarah has been playing football for five years. She started off with St Andrews before moving to Beechfield and she spent 12 months training with her beloved Manchester United last year.

Her mum Gill said: "We are so proud of her. She loved playing for Beechfield but she couldn’t pass up the opportunity of joining the Centre of Excellence.

"She is determined to make the most of that opportunity now.

"Sarah is Manchester United mad and her favourite player is Cristiano Ronaldo. She plays in the same position as him and she would love to be a professional player like him one day too. Women’s football is getting bigger all of the time and Sarah hopes to get to the top of the sport one day."

Any girls wishing to follow Sarah’s lead by playing for Beechfield should contact Susan on: 0161 788 0608. The under-13s girls side are looking to recruit players for all positions.

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