I made my Man Utd debut on the same night as Rashford then never played again – our careers turned out very differently

REGAN POOLE made his Manchester United debut on the same night Marcus Rashford burst onto the scene.

Rashford famously scored twice in the 5-1 Europa League home victory over Midtjylland in 2016 which also ended up as Poole's only Red Devils appearance.

Poole, signed from Newport for an initial £100,000, replaced Ander Herrera as a 90th minute substitute under Louis van Gaal.

But his career went in completely the opposite direction to United and England star striker Rashford.

Since then, the forgotten centre-back had loan spells at first club Newport and Northampton before permanent moves to MK Dons, Lincoln and Portsmouth.

Now Poole, 25, is back on the big stage after winning his first Wales cap in the 4-0 friendly rout of Gibraltar in Wrexham on Wednesday night and has set his sights on returning to Premier League level.

Poole said: "I made my United debut in the same game as Marcus. He scored two and then I came on late in the game. 

"He was a goodfriend of mine at the time and he's gone on to do such great things.

"I look back on playing for United with great pride. I know it was only one game but I can say that I've played for Manchester United and not many people can say that. I look back and think, 'Well done'.

"I was at such a young age when the move came about. It was such a shock but it was something I had to do. I look back on my time there and they improved me so much as a player and person. 

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"I don't regret it in a way because I had to do it. I loved my time there and I think it's showing now how much they improved me. I was training with such good players and that's shown in my career."

Poole has played a key part in Pompey's 12-match unbeaten start in League One, scoring three goals from defence this season to earn his Wales call-up.

And he wants his team-mates to follow the lead of Ipswich after revealing his ambition of jumping back up through the divisions.

Poole added: "I'm loving it down there. We've started so brightly and we're looking for promotion. We're trying to get the football club back to where it belongs. I've also scored three goals and hopefully I can keep building on it and help the team as much as I can. I believe I can play in the Premier League. If you don't, you’re in the wrong sport. Why can't we do it at Portsmouth? 

"Ipswich are doing really well and If we can get promoted why not? I believe Portsmouth is a Premier League football club. It should never be in League One, so hopefully we can go and do that."

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