Shola Shoretire explains reason for Manchester United exit ahead of PAOK return: He 'just had to go'

This will be Ruud van Nistelrooy's penultimate game as United manager as his term as interim manager comes to an end.

Ruben Amorim has been named United's new head coach and will take over from Van Nistelrooy during the international break.

Amorim's Sporting side beat Manchester City 4-1 on Tuesday night and Van Nistelrooy would be happy with a similar result against PAOK.

United have not won a single Europa League game so far this season and desperately need three points from PAOK's visit to Manchester.

Shola Shoretire on leaving Manchester United

PAOK travel to Old Trafford having picked up just one point from their first three games of the new Europa League format.

This is the kind of game United need to win – especially with PAOK star Giannis Konstantelias out due to injury.

PAOK will arrive in Manchester with a former United talent in their ranks – and he will be desperate to shine.

Shola Shoretire decided to leave United for PAOK in the summer and let his contract expire before leaving Old Trafford.

Shoretire recently scored his first PAOK goal and will be looking to haunt United on Thursday evening.

The striker has now spoken about his decision to leave United and make a pretty bold move to Greece.

Speaking to Makthes in Greece, Shoretire admitted his excitement when he found out PAOK would be playing United.

Shoretire added that he simply had to “leave” United to further his career, but he will appreciate being a part of United's history.

“When I found out we were going to be playing here, I was very excited,” Shoretire said.

“It’s nice to be back at Old Trafford. I felt good, but there came a point in my career where I had to stop and PAOK was the ideal choice for me. We came here to win and we will do everything for it. For me it is a blessing to be part of United's history. I’m grateful for that,” he added.

How did Shoretire do for PAOK?

Shoretire just couldn't really make an impact at United and it was no surprise that he left at the end of his contract.

Bolton Wanderers manager Ian Evatt once praised Shoretire for his “immense” talent, but that did not translate into stardom in the Premier League.

Shoretire is now trying to establish itself in Greece, but has had a rather slow start.

The 20-year-old has played just 152 minutes in the league for PAOK in six appearances, an average of just 25 minutes per appearance.

Shoretire has also only played seven minutes in the Europa League, so a key role against United is anything but a given.

The winger would no doubt be keen to haunt United, but his move to Greece serves his long-term future and he is now on his own path to potential stardom.

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