Shola Shoretire was Manchester United’s young player of the year in 2021 but on Thursday his PAOK side will play against United at Old Trafford in the Europa League.
The Athletic spoke to the 20-year-old ahead of his return to Manchester, as he discussed his decision to leave last summer, the bonds he still has with players such as Kobbie Mainoo, playing for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, being coached by Kieran McKenna, learning to speak Greek, and much more.
“People who look at me from the outside might think I’ve failed because I came through the academy but didn’t establish myself in the first team (at United), but I don’t see it like that at all,” explains Shoretire from his apartment in Thessaloniki.
“Kobbie is the player I keep in touch with most from United and I’m proud of him, but I’ve seen so many players who I played with go on to have good careers: Angel Gomes, James Garner, Anthony Elanga, Teden Mengi, Hannibal. There are loads of other top players who I’m sure will do well in time. I learned from them all.
“I was much better for spending all that time at United, but it was time to move on.”
From the start of January, I was in conversation with United about a new contract. I was offered a new one, but I was also allowed to move for free when my contract expired.
I felt that, having made my debut at 17, I was better at making a fresh start at 20. I wasn’t involved in the first-team setup at United as much as I’d hoped and I just wanted to play regular first-team football in a good team.
I had options in the Championship, Spain and Greece. I saw that PAOK were Greek champions and would play European football. I was sent a video by a mate of the PAOK fans when they won the league last season. It looked crazy — in a good way. They’re incredibly passionate and you can feel that on and off the pitch.
I also spoke to players who’d moved abroad and they said it’s good for you as a person; I’ve seen that already living by myself for the first time. I cook every day: rice, pasta dishes usually. My dad taught me well.
The move took some time though. I was training by myself for two months as I waited for whatever came next. I moved here at the start of August, spent two weeks in a hotel and then got an apartment. I had no pre-season and had to work that into my fitness plans when I arrived.
I waited a couple of games for my debut, then came on in a home match (a 2-0 win against Panetolikos on August 25) and did well. I started the next league game (against Atromitos on September 1) and we won again. I feel like I’ve done well when I played and I scored my first goal last week (in a 3-0 win over Aigaleo in the Greek Cup).
Shola! ⚽ #PAOK #OurWay pic.twitter.com/b48nYPWc6D
— PAOK FC (@PAOK_FC) October 31, 2024
English is widely spoken in the dressing room because we have a lot of international players, but I’ve picked up some basics in Greek. They don’t speak English in the supermarkets so I need to know what things are.
I’d barely heard of Salonika before I arrived. I was told it was the second largest city in Greece and a nice place by the sea. I flew in and went to pick my bags up from the carousel but saw a bit of a commotion outside. They were fans waiting for me. Loads of fans. PAOK are huge here and if things are going well here on the pitch then they tend to go well off it.
It’s a beautiful city; you have nice beaches nearby. It’s a nice change from rainy Manchester.
I’m in touch with him all the time. He’s got an injury right now and won’t play. He’s been flying in the last year and he deserves it. He’s always worked hard and been patient, trusting his ability. I’m very happy for him and I’m not surprised at how well he’s done. United produce young players and give them opportunities. He’s a very, very good player.
We played one game in Poland for the under-12s. He put a volley from the edge of the box right into the top corner. I knew he was good then, but anything can happen in your development.
Another time, we played Brighton at Leigh Sports Village (for the under-21s). He scored two and I assisted both. Now, you can see that he’s grown into his body and he looks like a proper player. You must be mature in the midfield and he is. There are things you can get away with playing for the under-18s and 23s, but when you go to the first team you must be focused.
I was training with the first team and there were good experienced players like Juan Mata and Nemanja Matic. They took me under their wing.
I’d watch Juan in training — he was a smaller player, like me, and must play differently to a six-foot-tall player. I’d seen that at an earlier age with Angel Gomes, learning how he moved his body and got into tight places. I think Angel will get a big move.
Matic was more about him making sure I was always switched on, which you must be when you play in the first team — even in training where it’s very intense.
I was eased into training with the first team and then I had a chat with Ole, Kieran McKenna and Michael Carrick and they said they wanted me training with the first team all the time. I’d just turned 17, but everyone looked after me and I felt I was getting better and better. That showed more when I played with the reserves: no game for the under-23s was as difficult as training with the first team.
McKenna was good to me, too. He’s a young coach but every detail he coached made sense. I could tell he was destined for bigger things. His tactical game was top, his player management too. I was with the under-15s playing for the 18s and we were due to play City. He pulled me to one side and said: “You’re not going to play tomorrow but I want you to come and be part of the squad to get the experience.” I appreciated that.
If there was bickering between players in training he’d sort it out straight away and make sure that hands were shaken. Or if he left someone out, he’d say things like “It’s not the end of the world, this happens in football”. Then he’d give you pointers as to what he thought you could do better. It may sound like common sense but a lot of coaches don’t do that.
Crazy! It was against Newcastle, where I grew up — and against the team I supported as a kid. We went to check the pitch before the game and Nicky Butt said to me: “I’ll make sure you get on.” I thought he was joking and brushed it off. I warmed up without ever thinking that I’d go on, but when I did I thought “This can’t be real”.
Even though it was during Covid without fans in the stadium, I felt the buzz of Old Trafford. It was such a special moment.
Luke Shaw was telling me to get on the ball, Juan Mata too. That’s the last thing you want, to get on and not touch the ball.
I didn’t realise the significance of that at the time and I’m grateful to the club for giving me the opportunity. I was young player of the year and it was a special moment for me.
I don’t want to say deserved, because that was up to the coaches. I just had to give 100 per cent in training.
Maybe a bigger factor was playing in my position. Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes were in my position and played every game. But that’s football; I couldn’t let it get to me. I just had to know my worth as a player and know when it was time to move on. I would have loved to have played more but I wasn’t angry or frustrated.
Darren Fletcher oversaw it. It’s good to have an ex-player as part of the coaching staff because they know what it’s like to be a player.
We had a Zoom meeting with Bolton’s manager and sporting director, Fletch and myself. Fletch explained why he thought the loan was a good idea, then (the manager) Ian Evatt explained his plans for me at Bolton.
If you’d asked me if I’d do the Bolton move again, I’d say yes. Bolton liked to play football but we started coming up against teams who didn’t — they’d kick it long and make the game physical for us so we couldn’t play that style. The manager and I agreed that it was difficult for me to shine there as it was a different type of football.
I had offers from Portugal and Spain, from the Championship and League 1, but I was happy to (go back and) keep learning at United, training with the first team and playing with the under-23s while I weighed everything up.
The 2023-24 season was one of the best I’ve had, playing-wise. I had a good relationship with Travis (Binnion), the coach. He told me what he wanted to see from me, and how he wanted me to develop. I played a deeper role at No 8, while Tom Huddlestone and Dave Hughes helped with the defensive side of my game.
(My younger brother is still at United.) Tunde is 14 and enjoying it a lot. After I left, I told him to stay because the academy is excellent.
When we don’t have the ball, I’m happy to put a shift in and work hard for the team. When we do have the ball I’m good at receiving the ball in tight places, changing the play, dribbling. I’m quite clinical around the box, I’ve got good decision-making; I know when it’s right for me to shoot or when to play the ball. I’m not selfish but I know how to finish.
I want to first establish myself as a PAOK starter and help PAOK to be successful. I’m also ambitious and I want to play in a top-five league. PAOK want me to be successful.
If I do well and a good offer comes in for me, then that’s good for PAOK too.
(Top photo: ANP via Getty Images)
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Andy Mitten is a journalist and author. He founded the best-selling United We Stand fanzine as a 15-year-old. A journalism graduate, he's interviewed over 500 famous footballers past and present. His work has taken him to over 100 countries, writing about football from Israel to Iran, Brazil to Barbados. Born and bred in Manchester, he divides his time between his city of birth and Barcelona, Spain. Follow Andy on Twitter @andymitten
Shola Shoretire is proud to remain the youngest player to feature for Manchester United in a European match but wants to bloody his former club’s nose as he returns to Old Trafford with PAOK.
A product of the Red Devils’ academy, the forward made history in February 2021 just days after coming on for his first-team debut in the Premier League against hometown team Newcastle.
That record still stands as the 20-year-old returns to Old Trafford on Thursday evening with PAOK, who he joined on a four-year deal in the summer after his contract with the Premier League side expired
“It’s an achievement I’m very thankful for,” Shoretire said of his place in the club’s history books. “I put in a lot of hard work and I was very thankful to be blessed with that opportunity.
“It’s an amazing feeling to be back. When we found out we were playing against them, it was a big surprise, but very nice to be back.
“Of course it was difficult to leave, but I felt it was the right moment for my career. PAOK seemed like a very good club to go to, and I’m very happy with how it’s gone so far.
“We’re here to win tomorrow. That’s why we’re here, and we believe we can do this.”
Of course it was difficult to leave, but I felt it was the right moment for my career
Shoretire made five first-team appearances for United, where he was named 2020-21 Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year having risen through the ranks at a club he joined at the age of nine.
The 20-year-old’s affection towards the club remains clear and means he will not celebrate should he score for PAOK in Thursday’s Europa League reunion.
“I’ve been asked this question by my friends and some of the team-mates, but my answer is no because I still respect United for everything they’ve done for me,” Shoretire said.
“I wouldn’t be in this position without them.”
Shoretire laughed off suggestions PAOK’s coaching staff have picked his brains ahead of Thursday’s meeting with a United side looking for their first win of the new-look Europa League campaign.
The Red Devils have sacked Erik ten Hag in the fortnight since their last game in the competition at Fenerbahce and Ruben Amorim will join as their new head coach on Monday.
“I think every club goes through situations like this, obviously, with a changing management,” Shoretire added.
“It can be difficult for the players, but I’m sure they will come tomorrow aggressive, ready to win. They need the points and so do we.”
Manchester United take on Greek side PAOK on Thursday night and that means a return to Old Trafford for one player.
Manchester United’s focus turns back to the Europa League on Thursday night as PAOK visit Old Trafford.
This will be Ruud van Nistelrooy’s penultimate game in charge of United as his run as interim boss nears its end.
Ruben Amorim has been appointed as United’s new head coach and will take over from Van Nistelrooy in the international break.
Amorim’s Sporting side beat Manchester City 4-1 on Tuesday night and Van Nistelrooy would love a similar result against PAOK.
United have yet to win in three Europa League games so far this season and really need three points as PAOK visit Manchester.
PAOK head to Old Trafford having only claimed a point from their first three games of the new Europa League format.
This is the kind of game United simply have to win – especially with PAOK’s star man Giannis Konstantelias set to miss out through injury.
PAOK will arrive in Manchester with a former United talent in their ranks – and he will be desperate to shine.
Shola Shoretire decided to leave United for PAOK over the summer, allowing his contract to run down before leaving Old Trafford.
Shoretire recently scored his first PAOK goal and he will be looking to haunt United on Thursday night.
The forward has now spoken about his decision to leave United for a rather bold move to Greece.
Speaking to Makthes in Greece, Shoretire has admitted his excitement upon learning that PAOK would be playing against United.
Shoretire added that he simply ‘had to leave’ United to further his career, but he will cherish being a part of United’s history.
“When I found out that we will be playing here, I was very excited,” said Shoretire.
“It’s nice to be back at Old Trafford. My feelings were good, but it reached a point in my career where I had to leave and PAOK was an ideal choice for me. We came here to win and we will do everything for it. It’s a blessing for me to be a part of United’s history. I am grateful for that,” he added.
Shoretire just couldn’t truly break through at United and it was little surprise to see him walk way at the end of his contract.
Bolton Wanderers boss Ian Evatt once hailed Shoretire for his ‘immense’ talent but that didn’t translate to Premier League stardom.
Shoretire is now looking to establish himself in Greece but has endured something of a slow start.
The 20-year-old has played just 152 minutes of league action for PAOK across six appearances, averaging out to just 25 minutes per appearance.
Shoretire has also played just seven minutes in the Europa League, so a key role against United is far from a given.
The winger would no doubt love to haunt United but his move to Greece is with his long-term future in mind and he is now on his own journey to potential stardom.
