IF you can’t play football, then working in football is the next best thing.

And that is what Bury AFC striker Liam MacDevitt is doing – forging out a career in front of the camera talking about the game when he is not on pitch playing it.

Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus pandemic and all ‘non-elite’ football being on hold, MacDevitt won’t be kicking a football any time soon. So being able to speak to Manchester United’s man of the moment Marcus Rashford is certainly one way to fill that void.

The Match of the Day Kickabout presenter says he has the best job in the world and this Saturday his documentary, The Making of Marcus, airs on the BBC children’s channel CBBC.

“It is the best thing I have done and I am really happy with it,” said the 27-year-old forward who has impressed for Andy Welsh’s side this season. “What Marcus has done on the pitch and off it, is a real inspiration and it was great to be able to speak to him.”

The documentary traces Rashford’s footballing journey and MacDevitt speaks to teachers, coaches, former team-mates and friends who have witnessed his journey from the pitches of south Manchester to the top of the professional game.

And Radcliffe FC’s Neuven Stadium – Bury AFC’s landlords – is the setting for some of the documentary where MacDevitt interviews Shrewsbury Town defender Ro-Shaun Williams who played in the same youth team at Manchester United as Rashford.

“Of course I had to get the Neuven Stadium on,” said

MacDevitt who scored one goal for Bury AFC in the 5-1 win at Garstang before the season was declared null and void.

“It is a great setting and we sat in the stand and had a good chat.”

MacDevitt also spoke to Tyler Blackett who, like Rashford, played for Fletcher Moss Rangers – the junior football club that also produced the likes of Jesse Lingard and Wes Brown.

He also got to meet another of Rashford’s friends, award-winning rapper Aitch who was named Best New Artist in last year’s Brit Awards.

“That is why I think I have the best job in the world,” added MacDevitt. “Working in football and doing documentaries like this is fascinating, you get a real insight in to Marcus Rashford’s world and it is very rewarding.

He filmed a similiar documentary on Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk but said it had to be Rashford this year considering all the work he has done to help fight child poverty.

“He is a remarkable young man, a real figurehead.

“What he has done and is doing to help fight child poverty up and down the country is very special.”

MacDevitt, who will now make the switch to MOTDx on BBC 3 as an assistant producer and presenter until the end of the season, has also made a documentary on the LFC Foundation at Liverpool – and earned himself a link from Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker.

“When you get a Lineker link you know you must be doing something right!” added MacDevitt.

The Making of Marcus, CBBC, Saturday at 11am and iPlayer from noon.