Shola Shoretire on leaving Man United: ‘I just had to know my worth as a player’

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.”

How did the move to PAOK come about?

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.

You and Kobbie came through United’s academy together…

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.

You made your United first-team debut under Solskjaer when you were 17. What was that like?

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.

Shoretire makes his debut in a 3-1 win against Newcastle United on February 21, 2021 (Oli Scarff/PA Images via Getty Images)

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.

What do you remember about your debut?

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.

Four days later, you became the youngest United player to play in a European game, against Real Sociedad…

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.

Shoretire and Solskjaer inspect the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award in May 2021 (Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Do you feel you deserved more chances? Did you suffer because of the managerial changes?

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.

You went to Bolton Wanderers in League 1 on loan in January 2023…

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.

How would you describe yourself as a player?

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.

You’re still only 20, but where do you want to be in three years?

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)