Grandson of Man Utd legend scores screamer on EFL debut from centre-back

Notts County defender Lewis Macari - the grandson of Manchester United legend Lou - scored a stunning strike on his EFL debut for the League Two side.

Luke Williams' side are flying high in League Two after promotion from the National League last term, and sit in second place behind leaders Stockport after 14 games.

The Magpies were thrashed 4-1 at home by Mansfield last weekend, but bounced back in style with a 2-1 victory over Gillingham to get back to winning ways.

But it wasn't all plain sailing for County, with defender Richard Brindley forced off through injury on 16 minutes.

He was replaced by 21-year-old Macari, who is on loan at the club from Championship side Stoke and had so far been limited to Papa John's Trophy action.

His grandfather, Lou, made over 400 appearances for United between 1973 and 1984, scoring 94 goals from midfleld and helping them to return to the First Division, along with winning three other trophies.

The younger Macari watched on against Gillingham as the Magpies, who dominated possession, went in front in the first half through Macauley Langstaff.

Former Derby and Millwall left-back Scott Malone then equalised for the Gills, before Macari struck with a moment of magic.

After some neat build-up play on the edge of the box, fellow substitute Dan Crowley teed up the Scotland youth international from 20 yards out.

Without taking a touch, Macari ran on to the ball and unleashed a thunderbolt that flew into the top corner, leaving Gills goalkeeper Jake Turner with no chance.

Check it out below.

A goal for Lewis Macari in his first-ever @EFL game, to secure all three points for @Official_NCFC in their 5,000th @EFL game 🤩

💥 And what a finish! #EFL | #SkyBetLeagueTwo pic.twitter.com/4c0fAx1yxD

— Sky Bet League Two (@SkyBetLeagueTwo) October 22, 2023

To make the moment even better for the Scotsman, he had just scored the winning goal in what was County's 5,000th EFL match.

After the game, he talked through the goal with BBC Radio Nottingham: "I've pushed on and Dan's just laid it off. I've seen it coming, and I've just hit it.

"I actually thought the 'keeper might have saved it because he got a hand, but he's put it into the side of the net.

"After that, it was all a blur - I don't even know what celebration I've done! I was absolutely buzzing and I couldn't believe it to be honest. It's an unbelievable moment.

"I remember just looking round and screaming, and looking at all the faces in the ground. I don't even think I did a celebration - I just jumped and ran around.

"It was my first league goal in England so it was a big moment for me."