'He was into football back in Nigeria' - Man Utd's Shoretire admits dad didn't achieve his dream

Shola Shoretire has admitted that his father dreamt of becoming a footballer and has explained why he did not achieve his dream.

The current Manchester United Young Player of the Year underlined that his father has been the most influential person that supported him on his journey to be a footballer.

Shoretire, an England youth international, is regarded as one of the biggest talents at Old Trafford.

He is the youngest player to debut for Manchester United in European competition, aged 17 years and 23 days when he came off the bench in a goalless draw with Real Sociedad in a Europa League game in February 2021.

So far this season, Shoretire has directly participated in seventeen goals (8 goals and 9 assists) in 27 all-competition appearances for United's youth teams.

On the most influential person to support him on his journey, Shoretire said to Versus UK : ""I would say my dad. He's been with me through everything - the good and the bad. He is my biggest supporter and also my biggest critic.He will be the first person to tell me that I need to do something better but because we have such a strong relationship, I listen and take it because I trust him.

"When he was younger, he was into his football back in Nigeria. His dream was to always be a footballer! But he couldn't achieve that dream because of where he was in the world , so me playing football makes him happy. He's who I'm doing this for - just to see him smile."

Shoretire joined Manchester United at the age of ten and signed his first professional contract in February 2021.