Nigeria-Eligible Winger breaks Manchester United record that stood for 39 years after European debut

Published: February 25, 2021

Manchester United are through to the last sixteen of the UEFA Europa League after beating Spanish opponents Real Sociedad 4-0 on aggregate, with tonight's second leg at Old Trafford ending goalless.

The Red Devils had chances to win the game; Portugal star Bruno Fernandes hit the woodwork while Anthony Martial and Daniel James were denied by goalkeeper Alex Remiro.

Though the second leg was more or less a formality, Mikel Oyarzabal would have given the Spaniards a lift if he had converted a penalty kick with thirteen minutes played.

Some of the talk leading up to the second leg clash was about Shola Shoretire breaking Norman Whiteside's record of being the youngest player to feature for Manchester United in European competition.

Aged 17 years and 23 days, the Nigeria-eligible winger entered the game as a substitute in the 76th minute, replacing Mason Greenwood and set a new club record in the process.

Whiteside, the youngest player to feature in the FIFA World Cup, was 17 years and 131 days when he made his European debut against Valencia in the UEFA Cup at Old Trafford thirty nine years ago.

Shoretire has two other club records to his name; being the youngest player to debut in the UEFA Youth League and sporting the highest squad number (74) ever won by a Manchester United player in a competitive men's first-team fixture.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : manutd.com

Copyright ANS

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com