Newcastle United striker opens up on Manchester United links after Old Trafford recognition
Manchester United’s Will Osula tweet went viral after scoring against them for Newcastle United.
Newcastle United striker Will Osula has explained his past connection with Manchester United.
Osula scored a 90th-minute winner against the Red Devils last month as 10-man Newcastle won 2-1 at St James’ Park.
Jacob Ramsey was controversially sent off in a first-half stoppage time that saw Anthony Gordon give the Magpies the lead from the penalty spot before Casemiro immediately levelled.
With five minutes of normal time remaining, Eddie Howe introduced Osula in place of Gordon and the young Dane proved to be the matchwinner with a wonderful solo goal.
The 22-year-old cut inside on the right and just as it looked like he was about to slip regained his footing to smash the ball past goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who was rooted to the spot, with his left foot.
The moment haunted Manchester United after a tweet they posted about Osula 12 years earlier.
Will Osula opens up on viral Man Utd post
Eleven-year-old Osula was crowned the winner of the MU Soccer Schools World Skills Final on the Old Trafford pitch back in November 2014 and was presented with his award by legends Bryan Robson and Gary Pallister.
“I remember it well,” Osula told Newcastle’s matchday programme. “There was a skills competition in Denmark. I won that and there were a few others in Scandinavia. They selected the best ones from there and brought everyone from around the world to come and prove your skills.
“There was dribbling, practices, and at the end of the day they voted and thought I was the winner, which was a proud moment for me as well. They handed me the award at half-time of a game at Old Trafford, so it’s a memory that lasts with me.
“It’s funny that it came back [after scoring] against Manchester United.
“I was young, enjoying football. When you’re young, you just want to go to different football camps across the country and enjoy football with different people.
“It was just when I wasn’t training in the summer. I always wanted to be something [a footballer] when I was young. I’m sure for many people it’s a dream to become something, That’s what I keep pushing for and what I want to be in the future.”
Will Osula on his winner versus Manchester United
Osula’s strike won the Premier League’s Goal of the Month award and helped him win a place in Howe’s starting XI, having started and scored in back-to-back games versus Crystal Palace and Bournemouth.
“It felt amazing to come in and score a goal like the one against Manchester United and for it to mean that much it’s a great feeling, especially when you’re trying to take the opportunities,” Osula added.
“It’s definitely helped me and boosted me. I’m very grateful for that goal.
“It’s definitely up there in my career, just because of the way the game was going. We were a man down, in the last minutes, so there’s a lot of things that add to that goal.
“On top of the goal, starting from our own box up to their goal - it was a big blessing to score that goal, it’s definitely up there in my career.”