Manchester United’s U16 side have a 100 per cent winning record in the Super Cup NI after beating Rangers on Tuesday night.
The historic youth tournament is well underway and Manchester United are looking like one of the favourites to go all the way.
United beat West Cork 3-0 to open the competition up with a bang, as Kai Rooney scored and assisted on the opening day.
Rooney’s performances saw Wayne Rooney attend match-day two, with United facing off against Rangers likely playing for top spot in the group stage.
Despite a hard fought battle, United beat Rangers 2-0 in the end thanks to brilliance from one outlet in particular.
Douka Nkoto was the man of the match against Rangers, scoring two superb solo goals which demonstrates his elite talent. After the game he spoke with Super Cup NI media.
Douka Nkoto reacts to Manchester United beating Rangers in Super Cup NI
The Nkoto twins were both on the pitch against Rangers, however, after Bassirou Nkoto scored a brilliant goal against West Cork, it was his brother’s turn on Tuesday.
Douka Nkoto’s first goal was a thumping effort into the top corner from a tight angle to the right of goal, while the second saw him cut back inside onto his right and curl it beyond the keeper.
Two excellent goals and afterwards he was speaking with the Super Cup NI X account.
“In the first half, it was a bit hard, but in the second half, we came out and scored two goals, obviously I scored two goals, we played good and how our coach told us to play”, Douka Nkoto explained.
“It was a good goal, I passed the ball to my midfielder and I told him to pass it back to my back foot, then I flicked it and I smashed it top corner with my right foot.
“That’s the Manchester United spirit, everyone works for each other, works hard, try to win every game and try to be the best version of yourself. It was a bit of pressure [the crowd] but we deal with it. The fans are very nice, everyone is friendly and I enjoy it [meeting them].”
Nkoto looks like a real talent and if he can continue playing like this he will surely be following JJ Gabriel in the U18s this season, despite being 14.
Douka Nkoto is a very exciting young footballer for Manchester United
Against Rangers, there were no players on the pitch better than Nkoto, as he used his speed, strength and technical ability to effectively single-handedly win the fixture, given his goals were all of his own doing.
This isn’t the first time that Nkoto has been noted as a top talent, having made U14 and U15 football look too easy at times last season.
The interview after his brace is the first time we have gotten to hear Nkoto speaking and for a 14-year-old, he is incredibly mature in how he handles the media attention.
Praising his teammates and outlining the United spirit are all things which show he is a team player, something that is so important to maintain in young players no matter how talented they become.
Next up is United against Tyrone and Nkoto will want to fill his appetite for goals once again.
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