Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen has highlighted the qualities of Shola Shoretire after the 17-year-old made his professional debut for Manchester United in a 3-1 win over Newcastle United at Old Trafford on Sunday night.

Owen, who broke onto the scene as a teenager, mentored Shoretire until the age of twelve and has explained why he is thrilled with the Anglo-Nigerian youngster.

Aged 17 years and 19 days, the winger replaced Marcus Rashford in the 89th minute and in doing so became the second youngest player to debut for Manchester United in the Premier League after Angel Gomes.

Speaking on Premier League Productions after the game, Owen said on Shoretire : "He's a good kid, real nice kid, great balance, he's got a lot of skill.

"As a youngster, he's still a youngster, when he was 12,13,14 he was playing two, three years up and scoring hat-tricks. He was fantastic.

"Inevitably the older you get the more, more difficult it gets but it is great to see him progress, he's got cracking attitude.

"He's always being quite small, quite stocky, very, very brave, loads of energy, real enthusiasm about the game so it's great to see him getting his chance.

"I hope he's going to have a long and successful career".

Shoretire, who has played non-stop at United since the age of nine, made his UEFA Youth League debut at the age of 14.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel