Nigeria-Eligible Winger Sent Off On His Competitive Debut For Manchester United U21 Team

Published: December 05, 2019

Republic of Ireland youth-teamer of Nigerian descent Ayodeji Sotona had a debut to forget for Manchester United U21 team after he was sent off against Tranmere Rovers in an EFL Trophy clash at Prenton Park (Birkenhead, Merseyside) on Wednesday night, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

The pacy winger was rewarded with a debut for the Red Devils U21s on the back of his brilliant performances for the U18s in the last two games, winning penalties against West Brom in the U18 Premier League and Premier League Cup.

Sotona came on in the 89th minute and took the walk of shame in the seventeenth minute of stoppage time after he was shown a straight red card for a dangerous push on Tranmere Rovers central defender Sid Nelson.

The 16-year-old was dismissed by referee Ross Joyce for deliberately pushing Nelson into the onrushing goalkeeper, Pilling which nearly caused a serious injury.

More than 17 minutes of injury time was played following the injuries suffered by Hepburn-Murphy and Reece Devine in the second half.

The League One team won the game 3-2 thanks to goals from Rushian Hepburn-Murphy, Connor Jennings and Blackett-Taylor, while Tahith Chong netted a first-half brace for the visitors.

A first year scholar, Sotona made his competitive debut for Manchester United U18s against Newcastle United in March 2019.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : manutd.com