ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s national football team player, Otis Khan, shared a hilarious incident involving three legendary Manchester United football players during his time in the club’s academy.
Football player Otis, who spent his formative years at the renowned Manchester United academy, unveiled a humorous encounter with Rio Ferdinand, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, during a podcast with renowned football journalist, Shahrukh Sohail.
Recalling the incident, Player Otis revealed that Ferdinand, the ex-United defender, playfully referred to fellow academy football player Federico Macheda and himself as twins when the first-team football players visited the rehabilitation and fitness centre.
The football academy players were thrilled to find themselves sharing space with their esteemed counterparts, and Ferdinand’s lighthearted banter only added to the excitement.
Macheda went on to represent Manchester United’s senior team 19 times, scoring four goals, including a crucial strike against Aston Villa to win the football match for United.
Player Otis said that a lot of young academy players pretended to be wounded so that they could join the physiotherapy sessions in the first-team building, where they could meet up with the superstars.
On the 2nd episode of #Footballistan, @officialgtfc winger @otiskhan63 narrates a funny incident from his time at @ManUtd with @rioferdy5 and Federico Macheda at Carrington! 🇵🇰⚽️
Full episode out soon on: https://t.co/cE5UrdrPJv pic.twitter.com/TC7hsAKVXa
— Shahrukh Sohail (@shahrukhsohail7) June 7, 2023
Otis’s anecdote sheds light on the camaraderie and jovial atmosphere that often permeates top-tier football clubs.
Such incidents do not provide a glimpse into the lighter side of the football game but underline the significance of a positive football team environment and mutual respect between football players, regardless of their status within the club.
Otis is set to represent the Shaheens in the upcoming tournaments. He is expected to make his debut for Pakistan in the upcoming 4-nation tournament in Mauritius.
