Stuart Mathieson: A Wembley stunner and team-mates plaudits suggest Crewes young talent is United quality

Nick Powell celebrates Crewes play-off win after his wonder goal.

Twelve months ago yesterday United were overwhelmed by the Lionel Messi show at Wembley in the Champions League final.

On Sunday, on the eve of the anniversary of the Argentinian geniuss goal and his dominant role for Barcelona in the 3-1 win, a Reds target captivated the same stadium.

This time it was the League Two play-off final between Crewe Alexandra and Cheltenham and the player providing the Messi moment was 18-year-old Nick Powell.

The Reds are favourites to land the Gresty Road Academys latest top-flight bound home-produced star, whos rated at around 4m.

Powell lit up Crewes successful promotion clincher with a 15th-minute opener where he controlled and swivelled before slamming in a left-foot screamer into the Wembley net.

Precocious

The platform will have alerted any stragglers who have not already twigged to the teenagers precocious talent.

But Sir Alex Ferguson is already a firm admirer and could be ready for a bid to stave off the threat of Arsenal, who have also clocked Powells impact this season.

He was named Apprentice Player of the Year at the Football League awards in London in March and also became the first Crewe player to scoop all five honours at the clubs awards this season.

His prizes included the Railwaymans Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year and he also landed the Goal of the Year prize for a 30-yard strike against Gillingham.

But the Wembley hit would probably have demoted even that wonder goal had the vote been taken now.

And Crewe are expecting the bids to start arriving with boss Steve Davis confirming his potential by saying: I think Ni! ck can g et to the Premier League.
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I know theres been a few bits about Manchester United in the papers, but weve not had any solid offers yet.

We will probably see something develop on that. Nick is a huge talent, who produces big things on special occasions.

The club has been kept moving by loans from the directors, so when we get a special player like Nick we can pay those off.

And Powells colleagues were in awe of the attacking midfielder after his Wembley stunner.

Crewe captain Dave Artell said: It was a goal to grace any game. Nick will move on whenever, but we know hes got that ability because weve seen him do that sort of thing in training.

Blur

Goalkeeper Steve Phillips reckoned it was a goal to stick in the memory.

You might come away from cup finals and everything is a blur, but I will remember Nicks goal for the rest of my life, he said. It would grace any stadium in the world and if he had done it in a Barcelona shirt youd say he was worth 30m.

It was similar to the goal he scored against Gillingham. Hes supposed to be right-footed but hes hit one against Cheltenham and one at Gillingham which are
absolute screamers with his left. They will be talking about the Wembley one for! years.< br>
Hes got that in his locker. As soon as he gets the ball you always think hang on, something could happen here.

He is destined to play for the very top clubs in the world, if not this summer then at some time.

And Crewe centre-half Adam Dugdale added: Hes very good. If you have Nick Powell in your team youve got a chance no matter who youre playing.

The important thing for him now is to not get carried away. Hes probably got the most talent I have ever seen for someone of his age but he has still got to work hard to make sure he makes the most of that potential.

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