Manchester United forward Shola Shoretire has shared how Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer played his part in the improvement of the young striker.
Shoretire grew up on Tyneside before making the move to United at the age of just nine and was only two when Shearer retired from playing.
However, the Premier League-winning striker is an iconic figure in Newcastle and, while he was too young to recall his playing days, the stories of his career motivated him as a young player.
As a result, Shoretire named Shearer alongside Barcelona greats Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi as the players who he looked up to.
“I was very young when I was in Newcastle but the people that I looked up to were my favourite players, Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho. I think I have tried to make my game like theirs, quite specialized and a good all-round player,” he told the club’s official website.
“But then I think, playing for Newcastle, a bit before my time, but Alan Shearer. He is the legend up there in Newcastle for what he’s done for the club. Hearing his stories and the history of the club is what got me into playing football in Newcastle.”
A dream debut for Shoretire came for United in February against the Tyneside outfit, a 3-1 win, an event that will live long in the memory for the young forward.
“It was an unbelievable feeling. Sitting on the bench and just being part of the squad. Then when I was called to come onto the pitch, nothing going through my head. I didn’t know what to think.
“To get my first game against Newcastle, it meant a lot to me because of the journey I have had from Newcastle to Manchester. To be playing against them was really good.”
The 17-year-old went on to become the club’s youngest-ever player to feature in European competition four days after his appearance against the Magpies, coming off the bench in the Europa League against Real Sociedad.
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