ROTHERHAM UNITED right-back Matthew Olosunde was the standout player in his side’s FA Cup Third Round tie at Everton on Saturday.

The 22-year-old impressed throughout, bringing Rotherham back into the game with an equaliser in the second half which cancelled out Cenk Tosun’s early strike for the hosts.

It was hardly a smash-and-grab goal for Rotherham, either, as they had been putting pressure on Carlo Ancelotti’s Blues towards the end of the first half. 

The home side struggled to assert their superiority on the game, but the introduction of Abdoulaye Doucoure on the hour mark, shortly after the equaliser, made a difference.

The Frenchman eventually scored the winner in extra-time, latching onto a typically precise James Rodriguez through-ball before finishing left-footed past United goalkeeper Jamal Blackman.

But Olosunde rivalled Doucoure for Man of the Match honours. A former New York Red Bulls and Manchester United youth, Olosunde already has a cap for the United States, but though born in Trenton, New Jersey, he is also eligible to represent Nigeria.

He has the physique of a centre-back and played there occasionally in his youth, but his skill and drive going forward has seen him find an ideal role at right-back or wing-back.

With the US heavily stocked in this area, Nigeria could be tempted to hand him a senior cap if he continues to improve.

“His dad texted me a few weeks ago and said: ‘You need to tell Matt to score, you need to tell him what to do,’ so I have been telling him to score, and luckily he did,” said Rotherham United manager Paul Warne. 

“I thought he was excellent today.

“We looked a really composed, well-organised team trying to play for all their family, friends and wonderful town. I leave here full of pride.”

Olosunde was substituted later in the game but he will have already alerted onlookers to his talent. 

If the United States decide not to include him in their international setup going forward, their loss could be Nigeria’s gain.