Shoretire celebrates ‘incredible moment’ after making Man United history

NIGERIAN teenager Shola Shoretire was understandably giddy with excitement on Thursday night following his UEFA Europa League debut.

The 17-year-old was introduced as a late substitute for another teenager Mason Greenwood during Manchester United’s round of 32 second leg clash against Real Sociedad at Old Trafford. 

The appearance made Shoretire Manchester United’s youngest ever player in a European match, at the age of 17 years and 23 days.

The previous record holder was Norman Whiteside, who was 108 days older than Shoretire when he played in a continental fixture, a UEFA Cup tie against Valencia in September 1982, for the first time.

After Thursday night’s match which ended 0-0 and confirmed United’s place in the Europa League round of 16 with a 4-0 aggregate win, Shoretire took to social media to celebrate.

He tweeted: “What a feeling to make my European debut! To become United’s youngest ever player in Europe is an incredible honour and a proud moment for me and my family! On to the next round #MUFC.”

United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has also promoted Academy graduates Mason Greenwood and Brandon Williams since taking charge in 2018, was pleased with Shoretire’s cameo appearance.

“Shola’s got some skills, attributes that we think are going to make him a very good player here,” Solskjaer told the Manchester United website.

“It’s a platform of course tonight – just 15 minutes – so it’s something to build on, something for him to remember at Old Trafford. If the fans had been here, he would have enjoyed it more because they give you so much more energy. Football is strange at the moment, it is different, but I’m sure all the fans will see him later on.”