The Nigerian-born trio of Shola Shoretire, Dillon Hoogewerf and Ayodeji Sotona in Manchester United’s youth sector have gained comfort from words of consolation from one of their senior colleagues, in the wake of the cancellation of the youth league they were involved in with The Red Devils’ under-18 squad, megasportsarena.com reports.
In the wake of the shock decision by officials to cancel the U18 English Premier League due to the effects of coronavirus pandemic, the Nigerian trio received comforting word from a graduate of their team, Marcus Rashford.
Although Rashford is now in The Red Devils’ main team, he has revealed the noble spirit within him, as he remembered his former colleagues at a point they are downcast by their dashed hopes for the season, and the top striker sent a message of sympathy to the under-18 lads.
The decision to cancel the EPL 2 campaign due to disruptions caused by coronavirus means Shoretire, Hoogewerf and Sotona will no longer have the pleasure of gaining promotion with their squad to the top-flight division in their age cadre, but Rashford consoled them to believe that better days lie ahead of them, and encouraged them to try even better next time out.
The Nigerian-born lads are gravely affected by the decision of England’s FA to annul all fixtures in this season’s under-9 to under-16 games as well as the under-18 and under-23 competitions, but Rashford believes better days lie ahead of them.
Such it that his words would further boost Shoretire, who has agreed a scholarship with United for the 2020/21 season, while Hoogewerf inked his first professional contract with the club in March; and all three attack-minded teenagers were in outstanding for before the COVID-19 halt.
Their stunning form saw them net a total of seven goals combined in the U18 Premier League and helped United qualify for the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup, but those strides have now been dented with a wicked blow, only for the lads and their colleagues to now receive soothing words from Rashford, who rose through the ranks before making his mark with the senior team.
Rashford stated: “The news you got was probably not what you wanted to hear. I know all you want to do is play because I’m the same, but the decision has been made to protect everyone involved. This is bigger than football.
“You might be feeling a bit low but the best thing you can do is pick up your ball and get out in the garden. When I was in the academy I used to find spot in the garden and aim for targets just so I could practice my accuracy, get creative!”
