A TWELVE-YEAR-OLD tweet came back to bite Manchester United after Newcastle’s William Osula bagged a 90th-minute winner against them on Wednesday.
The 6ft 4in Danish forward powered down the right wing after coming on from the bench, before cutting inside with a lovely bit of skill and bending an effort in at the far post to sentence Michael Carrick to his first defeat as boss.
The goal came out of nowhere for the Magpies – but the club had actually foreshadowed the forward’s success.
Fans noticed an old tweet on United’s account mentioning the prospect, 22, far before his Newcastle success.
In fact the former Copenhagen and Sheffield United academy star had previously impressed at Old Trafford, winning United‘s Soccer Schools World Skills Final.
The event saw school-aged children from around the world take to the iconic pitch ahead of a game in 2014 to strut their skills.
The victor, in this case Osula, had their name read out by the stadium announcer and got to collect a trophy at the side of the pitch alongside United legend Bryan Robson.
The club also announced the winner in a now-infamous tweet that read: “Congratulations to 11-year-old William Osula from Denmark, winner of today’s MU Soccer Schools World Skills Final.”
Fans on X found the old post immediately and began commenting about the strange turn of events.
One supporter sarcastically replied: “Can we have an update on where he is now lads?”
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MICHAEL CARRICK’S winning run as Manchester United head coach came to a bitter end at his old favourite stadium.
The Geordie boss seven-match unbeaten streak snapped as 10-man Newcastle snatched a dramatic 2-1 win at St James’ Park.
Casemiro’s header capped off a dramatic first-half stoppage time that saw Anthony Gordon score a penalty and Jacob Ramsey sent-off diving.
Bruno Fernandes clashed with Joelinton in the tunnel at the break, before tensions levelled in the second-half.
But super-sub Will Osula’s incredible curling finish won it for Eddie Howe’s side in the 90th minute.
Boyhood Geordie Carrick remains third in the table on goal difference and head into a 14 day break until hosting the Villans on March 15.
Here’s how SunSport’s Katherine Walsh rated the United players at a simmering St James’ Park…
Another added: “What a life. And today, he was the one to destroy you guys.”
A third fan joked: “Congratulations to WHO???”
And even the official Newcastle X account got involved, quoting the post to say: “Time flies.”
It has been a whirlwind few years for Osula, who was yet to make his senior debut in early 2022.
He impressed on a loan spell from the Blades with Derby County, but could not nail down a starting role at Bramall Lane.
But Eddie Howe has turned him into a dangerous option off the bench, utilising some of the skill that was clearly present from such a young age.
A young Osula said after winning his United award: “I am really happy, it’s a big surprise, I didn’t think I would win it.”
He also labelled his experience at Old Trafford “the best day of my life,” but it is fair to say he might have one-upped that on Wednesday.
