Man United manager blocks moves to send Nigeria-eligible teenager Shoretire out on loan

NIGERIA-eligible teenager Shola Shoretire is set to be part of the Manchester United senior team this season after manager Erik Ten Hag blocked moves to send him out on loan because he believes the teenager is ready for first team football.

In February last year, Shoretire, 18, made history by becoming the youngest ever Manchester United player to feature in a European match when he featured against Real Sociedad in the Europa Cup. At the age of just 17 years and 23 days old, he broke a 38-year record set by Norman Whiteside, who was 108 days older than him when he made his United debut in the Uefa Cup against Valencia on September 15, 1982.

On February 8 last year, Shoretire signed his first professional contract with Manchester United on before being named in the senior squad 10 days later. This season, Manchester United had planned to send the youngster out on loan to get some playing time but manager Ten Hag believes the striker is ready for the big time.

Mr Ten Hag, who is currently smarting from yesterday's 3-1 victory over Arsenal at Old Trafford, had blocked the loan move just before the close of the transfer window.  Several English Championship teams had made enquiries about Shoretire but Man United have now decided that the teenager is going nowhere until the January transfer window at least.

Shoretire was omitted from Manchester United's 2022 pre-season tour squad because a loan move had been on the cards and he was also used sparingly in the club's U21 matches. With a loan move now off the table, he is expected to see more action over the coming weeks and months.