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Marcus Rashford thought he was the third-youngest player to reach 200 games for Manchester United - until Norman Whiteside’s wife intervened.

United hailed Rashford for following George Best and Ryan Giggs as the youngest players to reach a double century of appearances for the Reds.

But Whiteside’s wife Dee took to Twitter to set the record straight, pointing out her husband had eclipsed all three by reaching the milestone at a younger age.

United statisticians somehow managed to overlook Whiteside when compiling their list of the youngest players to reach 200 games.

Not only should Whiteside have been on the star-studded list, which also included Sir Bobby Charlton and Cristiano Ronaldo , he should have been right at the top.

(Image: PA)

Whiteside reached 200 games for United on September 6 1986, scoring in a 1-1 draw with Leicester, aged 21 and four months.

Rashford, 22, tweeted how proud he was to be third on the list of youngest United players to reach 200 games, following Best and Giggs.

Whiteside’s wife responded to Rashford’s tweet, pointing out the blunder, and said: “Think my hubby @NormanWhiteside was younger than all three of you in actual fact.”

(Image: Mirrorpix)

Red-faced United staff checked their stats again and realised their mistake, apologising to Whiteside and his wife for the oversight.

Whiteside, now 54, remains the youngest player to appear at a World Cup finals, when he played for Northern Ireland in Spain in 1982.

He also holds the record for being the youngest scorer in an FA Cup final, after finding the net aged 18 in United’s 4-0 replay win over Brighton at Wembley.

Rashford later paid tribute to Whiteside after he was overlooked by the club.

"Appreciation tweet for the great Norman Whiteside. Never to be overlooked," he wrote on Twitter.

Meanwhile, Harry Maguire has backed United teammate Rashford to get even better and claims he always knew the striker was destined for the top.

He said: “He’s a top player with top quality,” said Maguire. “I can remember one of the first sessions when I went to train with England, he really stood out to me.

“His ability on the ball, his technique, he has everything to go and have a career at the highest level.

“I’m pleased for him this year that he’s starting to get the goals he deserves and hopefully he hasn’t stopped yet.

“He has a few more in the tank from now until the end of the season.”