Manchester United’s impact on European football reaches far beyond Old Trafford, even as players move on to new teams.
A prime example is former United academy player Scott McTominay, who joined Napoli in Italy’s Serie A and gained recognition for his performances.
He was nominated for the 2025 Ballon d’Or and won the Serie A MVP award, helping Napoli secure the league title in his first season.
Over the years, many former United players have thrived abroad, finding new energy and confidence away from the English Premier League.
This trend has surfaced once again, with a former United forward receiving significant recognition overseas.
The monthly award in the Netherlands honors players who have a notable impact in their league, marking an important milestone for those rebuilding outside English football.
The player currently competing in the Eredivisie has been in great form since the beginning of the year.
Primarily playing in wide attacking positions, he has scored in consecutive matches, contributing to his team’s strong performance at the start of 2026.
These achievements have earned him the Johan Cruyff Talent of the Month award, which highlights outstanding young talent in Dutch football since its introduction in 2017.
The accolade has gone to Manchester United academy graduate Shola Shoretire, who is on loan at PEC Zwolle.
Since joining the Netherlands, the 22-year-old has developed into a key attacking player, recording six league goals so far this season, with four of those in his last three matches.
After receiving the award, Shoretire spoke to ESPN, expressing his surprise and attributing his success to the winter break, which helped him reset both mentally and physically.
“It was a really nice surprise for me this morning. It’s a fantastic prize to win, and I’m very proud of myself,” he noted.
“It’s nice to switch off for a bit, reflect on the first few months, and set goals for the rest of the season. Staying fit and playing with confidence – that’s going well so far.”
While his main focus is on his performances in the Eredivisie, Shoretire’s resurgence will attract attention from Manchester United, as discussions about player development and overseas loans continue to evolve.
His progress adds to a growing list of former United players achieving success and recognition outside England.
As the season continues, this latest award may represent another significant step in a career that is gaining momentum, highlighting how success can arrive when players find the right opportunities to showcase their talents.