Manchester United defender Ethan Laird says he wanted to let Ole Gunnar Solskjaer know that he is ready for first-team football when he made his senior debut last year.
Laird was one of many teenagers to make his debut for United in November when they travelled to face FK Astana in the Europa League fixture.
United had already secured qualification from Group L in the competition and Solskjaer used the trip to Kazakhstan as an opportunity to utilise the talent in the club's academy.
Laird played every minute of the defeat on his debut and also featured in the last group stage game as United defeated AZ Alkmaar 4-0 at Old Trafford.
The two matches will never be forgotten by the young right-back and he has explained what it was like to fulfil his childhood dream and represent United.
"There was a little bit of rumour," Laird told Three Point Start when asked how he reacted to the news he was going to make his professional debut.
"Then we got told the day before, and it was just a great experience in itself. I was just like 'right, I'm just happy to be here and if I play then wow.'
"Then you hear that you are playing and you start feeling the nerves, I start feeling excited because I can now show what I am about to everyone who is watching.
"I wanted to let Ole know that I'm ready for this, that I can hack this level of football. So yeah, it was exciting finding out.
"Making my debut in itself I just remember walking around the pitch. When I get on the pitch I don't get any nerves because I know like I am focused and locked in.
"But when I walked out onto the pitch because the stadium was closed in the noise just bounced from wall to wall and it was loud, and obviously you're hearing the music you hear on TV. I was buzzing, but when you're playing you notice the crowd, but you don't tap into the crowd unless the ball is out of play."
