How Shoretire reacted after setting a record
Shola Shoretire was understandably ecstatic after setting a new record for Manchester United during the Reds' 0-0 draw with Real Sociedad.
When the teenager replaced Academy graduate Mason Greenwood in the 76th minute, he became the club'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 for the first time.
Curiously, the competition, venue, scoreline and nationality of the opponents, Spanish, were all the same. United drew 0-0 at home to Valencia in the UEFA Cup, the Europa League's former guise, when Whiteside made his debut in Europe, on 15 September 1982.
The previous record holder was Norman Whiteside, who was 108 days older than Shoretire when he played in a continental fixture for the first time.
Curiously, the competition, venue, scoreline and nationality of the opponents, Spanish, were all the same. United drew 0-0 at home to Valencia in the UEFA Cup, the Europa League's former guise, when Whiteside made his debut in Europe, on 15 September 1982.
Reacting to his latest achievement, Shoretire said in a tweet: "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"
It was also another proud night for United's Academy. Six of the sixteen players Ole eventually fielded against Real Sociedad have risen through the Reds' ranks - Dean Henderson and Mason Greenwood both started, while Shoretire followed former youth-team players Marcus Rashford, Axel Tuanzebe and Brandon Williams in coming on as substitutes. Another Academy product, Ethan Galbraith, was also on the bench.
It was also another proud night for United's Academy. Six of the sixteen players Ole eventually fielded against Real Sociedad have risen through the Reds' ranks - Dean Henderson and Mason Greenwood both started, while Shoretire followed former youth-team players Marcus Rashford, Axel Tuanzebe and Brandon Williams in coming on as substitutes. Another Academy product, Ethan Galbraith, was also on the bench.
Solskjaer said after the game: "Shola's got some skills, attributes that we think are going to make him a very good player here.
“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.”
“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.”
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 pic.twitter.com/dE4fZ90yjz
— Shola Shoretire (@SholaShoretire) February 25, 2021
A FEBRUARY OF FIRSTS FOR SHOLA SHORETIRE
Monday 8 February: Signs his first professional contract
Thursday 18 February: Named in a senior matchday squad for the first time
Sunday 21 February: Makes his first-team debut, as a sub against Newcastle United
Thursday 25 February: Plays in his first senior European match
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