Uefa Europa League NewsShola Shoretire, Man United “Ready-Made Athlete”
Shoretire

Shola Shoretire could make his senior United debut after being included in Solskjaer’s traveling squad to take on Real Sociedad in the Europa League

Shoretire

There is a likelihood for Solskjaer to hand Shola Shoretire his first-team debut in the Europa League against Real Sociedad tonight. The 17-year-old winger has been called into the traveling squad along with the recent signing Amad Diallo with the coach hinting they could feature off the bench.

“Yeah, they are in the traveling squad. Not just for the experience. They are there to make an impact if they have to”. Said Solskjaer.

“The two boys have done well in training and they are talents that we want to give experience to. First of all they’re traveling and then let’s see if they come on the pitch”.

Shoretire has generated plenty of buzz around United in recent years. And recently he has penned a new long-term contract after interest from top European clubs.

Here’s everything you need to know about the newest name in the United squad.

Earlier move

Shola Shoretire initially played at the Newcastle United academy before his family moved to Manchester when he was a youngster.

Former Magpies manager Lee Clark told Tribal Football that it was a move that could not be prevented and one which has ultimately benefited United.

Clark wrote: “At first when I heard about him a couple of years ago. I was initially frustrated that Newcastle lost out on one of their own, but it was a scenario that couldn’t be helped with his parents being offered jobs down in the Manchester area which they had to take.

“Unfortunately there’s nothing Newcastle could have done about that.”

Athletic Prowess

One of Shoretire’s former coaches at Newcastle, David Ballantyne, says it was always clear the youngster was a “ready-made athlete” with huge potential.

“There’s always one or two you just think ‘Wow, yeah – he’s got a real chance of being a player’ and Shola was one of them,” Ballantyne told Chronicle Live.

“I can count on one hand how many I’ve said that about. To me, Shola was like a young Micah Richards at seven and eight, he was athletic, so quick, and just so strong.

“He was like a ready-made athlete. He was phenomenal and just so quick. That stood out – he just had that natural speed. But no one could get him off the ball as well, he had that strength, and he was light, quickness of feet, light on his feet.”

As well as his athletic prowess, Shoretire’s mentality caught the eye.

“He was extremely hard-working,” Ballantyne added, “and really tough on himself.

“If he couldn’t get something right straight away or hit every pass – he would get really frustrated with himself because he was a perfectionist.”