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Max Dowman, who gave the Arsenal teenager advice following his Premier League debut, is credited by Wayne Rooney with having the entire football world talking.

At 15 years and 234 days old, Dowman became the second-youngest player to play for Arsenal after starting the game against Leeds United with a 5-0 victory on Saturday.

Rooney is one of the few people who can relate to the Arsenal winger’s background.

He made his Everton debut at the age of 16 in August 2002, making his debut just five days shy of his 17th birthday when he scored a stunning late winner against Arsenal two months later, becoming the Premier League’s youngest scorer at the time.

Rooney discussed the challenges that Dowman is likely to face in the upcoming months and years in a new BBC podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show.

Rooney remarked, “It’s crazy to play in the Premier League at that age.” “I’m aware that I played when I was younger, but I believe he is at least 150 days younger than I was.”

Even though he’s playing for Arsenal, every time he cuts inside you go “shoot,” he says, “is just refreshing to see a young lad get his opportunity.” You want him to “put it in the top corner.”

Although Dowman didn’t score his first goal, he did earn a penalty late in the game. Rooney was relieved that the 15-year-old had no say in choosing who to take it.

The former Manchester United striker continued, “If he gets it and scores, that’s great, but I was thinking if he misses that’s the difference. You suddenly get everyone, not everyone, but online people having a go at him.”

As his profile expands and the excitement over his potential grows, Dowman must maintain a sense of purpose.

“I’m sure Max and his family and friends are living in a fairy tale and a dream, and it’s probably not hitting home yet,” Rooney said. However, you can see that his future is very promising and that he will have a great future.

“Max Dowman is the name that keeps coming back whenever you speak to in football.”

Everyone finds it challenging. You should probably just stay close to your family and friends as soon as possible.

Listen to them because there will always be people out there who are attempting to be your friend or contact you, some for good and some for bad.

You just need to make sure you stay close to those who are more important to you and take their advice, not those that are outside.

Rooney claims that there are adjustments needed for a young player making their first team debut in addition to the physical aspect of the pitch.

It’s “surreal,” it says. It’s so strange that, according to Rooney, you’re in the youth team and then you’re in the first-team dressing room with some of your heroes.

For me, it was some of my heroes growing up, then we started playing, training, and eventually we became friends.

“I was by Duncan Ferguson’s home when I was there. I’m just relaxing with him and Alan Stubbs while he lived on the same street as me. And you ask, “What is happening here?” ‘.

It can be overwhelming, so you really need to get used to it right away.

You hope Max Dowman manages to deal with it and comprehends what is coming his way very soon, according to the statement that “from everything I’ve seen, Max looks like a very level-headed lad.”

Rooney’s most important counsel to Dowman is from within.

Enjoy it, please. He assured me that we will witness a lot of him, as well as a lot of his abilities, goals, assists, etc.

Make sure you enjoy it because it moves very quickly, Alan Stubbs used to say to me years ago.

You don’t think about it when you’re young, or you occasionally forget, but you enjoy it and make the most of it.

Voting for your favorite British sportswoman of the 21st Century is a part of the BBC’s celebration of women’s sport this summer.

A shortlist of exceptional athletes has been created to honor the women who have had the biggest impact on UK sport since 2000, from Olympic and Paralympic champions to legends on the field.

A panel of experts evaluated the names of athletes from more than 50 different sports. We want you to choose the 21st-century UK sportswoman who best fits your criteria.

You can vote for your top three candidates by reading about each of the contenders below.

US Open 2025

Dates: August 24 through September 7 in Flushing Meadows, New York

Novak Djokovic believes that there was no lack of match practice to compensate for the “physical struggle” he experienced before winning the US Open first round.

The 38-year-old Serb hasn’t played since early July when he lost in the Wimbledon semi-finals, where he won 6-1 7-6 (7-3) 6-2 over American teenager Learner Tien.

Djokovic’s level drastically decreased during the second set as he appeared more agitated and sluggish in a humid New York.

After winning the second-set tie-break, the 24-time major champion said the blisters on his toe weren’t the cause of his dip, but that was after the match.

“I don’t have any injuries or problems.” Djokovic, who is seeded seventh, said: “I just struggled a lot to stay in long exchanges and recover after points.”

“I haven’t played a formal game in six weeks.” I had to deliver my A-game, which I believe I did in the first set.

Djokovic has been reducing his schedule as he approaches retirement.

As he aims to win a stand-alone 25th major title, the former world no. 1 has become more focused on the Grand Slam competitions.

Prior to the US Open, Djokovic skipped the ATP Masters competitions in Toronto and Cincinnati.

Djokovic made a clear statement during his pre-tournament press conference during which he admitted he did not like the “long format of the Masters tournaments, which have been shortened by two weeks in recent seasons.

However, his appetite for Grand Slam victories persists despite the greatest prizes.

Djokovic won his 75th consecutive first-round match against Tien, who is ranked 50th in the world, in the Open tournament as the first singles player to do so in the Open era.

In his on-court interview, Djokovic said, “I wish I had Learner’s age, but when you come in your late 30s, it’s about learning how to maintain the energy for what matters.”

Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz, the Americans’ most recent bids, put an end to the country’s 22-year search for a Grand Slam men’s singles champion as they advanced to the second round.

With his US Open triumph in 2003, Andy Roddick became the last American player to capture a major singles title.

Fritz, 27, has reached the most recent drought-stricken final at Flushing Meadows, making him the first American man to do so in 15 years.

Emilio Nava, who is seeded fourth this year, defeated Fritz 7-5, 6-2, 6-3, while Shelton, who is sixth, defeated Grand Slam debutant Ignacio Buse, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.

Two American men have been seeded in the top eight for the first time since the 2007 US Open.

According to Fritz, “We’re in a great position in American tennis.”

Shelton, 22, won the tournament’s inaugural game after taking just over two hours to complete victory on the world-renowned Arthur Ashe show court.

The former semi-finalist is in strong form, having earlier this month won the Canadian Open’s first ATP Masters 1000 title.

Shelton said, “The US Open is the pinnacle of tennis for me and what I dreamed about as a child.”

For me, it is starting to feel like home.

Mensik, who is 16th overall, defeated Djokovic in the Miami Open final to claim his first ATP Tour title in March, and he has twice advanced to New York’s third round.

After beating Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (9-7) 6-2, the 19-year-old Czech will face Ugo Blanchet next.

Alexander Shevchenko defeated him 6-1 6-1 6-2 in the other match.