Forget Fernandez and Gomes, another ex-Red Devils wonderkid is preparing to show Man Utd up

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Manchester United do battle against Greek side PAOK in the Europa League, and go up against a familiar face.

It is often noted among Manchester United fans, that players perform better when they are away from Old Trafford.

See Fred becoming a key star for Fenerbahce, or David de Gea saving penalties at Fiorentina. And in recent months there have been calls for United to bring back a couple of players the club let leave.

Angel Gomes left United for free and is now an England international, while Alvaro Fernandez’s displays for Benfica have seen the club tipped to activate his buy-back clause.

Now another former Manchester United talent is set to put himself back on the club’s radar, just months after he left.

Shola Shoretire’s PAOK take on Manchester United

After three draws in the Europa League to start the campaign, Manchester United take on PAOK, who have one draw and two defeats.

United have home advantage for the fixture and even with interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy holding the fort until Ruben Amorim’s arrival, the Red Devils will be strongly fancied to win the game.

Among the opposition is former Manchester United wonderkid Shola Shoretire, who quit the club on a free transfer in the summer.

Shoretire was incredibly highly rated at United, making his UEFA Youth League debut at just 14, and became an under-21 regular at 16.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer handed Shoretire his debut in 2021, where he became one of the club’s youngest players of all time.

Erik ten Hag did not feel as positively, and did not select Shoretire for a single minute during his time as Manchester United boss.

Shoretire scored nine goals and provided five assists for the under-21s last season, but was in danger of stagnating without first team football.

It was no surprise Shoretire chose to leave on a free transfer in the summer – although his choice of club with Greek side PAOK was out of left-field.

How Shola Shoretire is faring at PAOK

Shola Shoretire did not immediately become a starter for PAOK, who rank second in the Greek Super League after 10 games.

Shoretire has featured mostly as a substitute, playing six league games, totally only 152 minutes of action.

And in their three Europa League matches, he has played only seven minutes so far.

Yet there is hope that Shoretire is winning his fans and manager over, after he scored his first ever goal for PAOK a fortnight ago.

Shoretire scored in a 3-0 cup victory, just his third ever start in all competitions for the club.

With eight appearances in total, there is a strong likelihood Shoretire plays some role against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

While this match against United has probably come a little early for Shoretire to really demonstrate some growth, it is an opportunity nonetheless, and a chance for him to show the club what they are missing.