SportsNews

Where are they now? Man Utd’s 8 wonderkids from FIFA 15 a decade later

Published

1 year ago

September 21, 2024

FIFA 15 was released over a decade ago and we thought it would be a timely point to check out where the eight Manchester United wonderkids from that game are today.

The Red Devils have a rich history when it comes to developing young players, although not all of these wonderkids have managed to make a name for themselves at Old Trafford.

Using SoFIFA, we have found United’s eight wonderkids from FIFA 15 and have checked out what they are each up to these days.

Luke Shaw

After shining at Southampton, Shaw made a £30million move to Manchester United in the summer of 2014 and was given a rating of 75 in FIFA 15 – alongside potential of 86.

Despite several injuries, it’s hard to argue that the left-back hasn’t fulfilled his potential. An excellent operator, Shaw remains at Old Trafford to this day and has also won 34 caps for England.

Even in 2024, United are a much better side when Shaw is bombing down the left flank. This was one rating that FIFA got spot on.

Adnan Januzaj

Fresh off his breakthrough season in 2013-14, Januzaj was all the hype upon the release of FIFA 15. He had a lofty potential of 87 on the game, which was a higher rating than Wayne Rooney had on the game.

It’s safe to say that things didn’t quite progress in that way for the Belgian winger. After some early glimpses of potential, he ended up dropping down the pecking order under Louis van Gaal and then Jose Mourinho.

Despite things not quite working out in England, he has crafted a good career for himself elsewhere. He enjoyed his best days with Real Sociedad and now plays for Las Palmas, on loan from Sevilla.

James Wilson

United fans had high hopes for Wilson back in the day, particularly after he scored a brace on his senior debut against Hull City.

Despite some early signs of promise, Wilson eventually slipped down the pecking order and ended up leaving the club in 2019 following a series of loan spells.

These days you can find him playing for League One outfit Northampton Town where he has yet to score in 2024-25.

Paddy McNair

At one stage Louis van Gaal suggested McNair could be United’s right-back for the “next 10 years”, but he later criticised the Northern Irishman as “he thought he was a striker” when he gave the ball away high up the pitch in a draw with Leicester.

McNair has since insisted he was played out of position, and his form in midfield for Sunderland in their Championship relegation season led to a move to Middlesbrough in 2018.

The Northern Ireland international was named Middlesbrough Player of the Year for the 2020-21 season and helped knock United out of the FA Cup in 2022.

He made a surprise move to MLS side San Diego in the summer of 2024 and is currently on loan at West Brom until the end of the calendar year.

TRY A QUIZ: Can you name every player Louis van Gaal used as Man Utd manager?

SportsNews

EPL: Full list of players leaving for 2025 AFCON

Published

4 days ago

December 13, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

At least 25 players in the Premier League are set to travel for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The tournament is scheduled to take place from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.

Nigeria, Ivory Coast, DR Congo lead the way in terms of players based in the English topflight, with four selected from each club for the AFCON.

FIFA has directed clubs to release the eligible players from Monday, December 15.

Full list of players confirmed

Sunderland (5):
Chemsdine Talbi (Morocco), Reinildo (Mozambique), Bertrand Traoré (Burkina Faso), Arthur Masuaku (DR Congo), Noah Sadiki (DR Congo).

Manchester United (3):
Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon), Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast), Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco).

Fulham (3):
Alex Iwobi (Nigeria), Calvin Bassey (Nigeria), Samuel Chukwueze (Nigeria).

Burnley (3):
Axel Tuanzebe (DR Congo), Lyle Foster (South Africa), Hannibal Mejbri (Tunisia).

Nottingham Forest (2):
Ibrahim Sangaré (Ivory Coast), Willy Boly (Ivory Coast).

Brentford (2):
Dango Ouattara (Burkina Faso), Frank Onyeka (Nigeria).

Manchester City (1):
Omar Marmoush (Egypt),

West Ham United (1):
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (DR Congo)

Wolves (2):
Tawanda Chirewa (Zimbabwe), Emmanuel Agbadou (Ivory Coast).

Brighton & Hove Albion (1):
Carlos Baleba (Cameroon).

Crystal Palace (2):
Ismaïla Sarr (Senegal), Cheick Doucouré (Mali)

Liverpool (1):
Mohammed Salah (Egypt)

SportsNews

NNL bars fans from Ranchers Bees vs Adamawa United

Published

4 days ago

December 13, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The Nigeria National League, NNL, has announced that matchday six fixture between Ranchers Bees and Adamawa United will be played behind closed doors.

The announcement was made in a statement by the league body.

Only the State Football Association representatives, staff of both teams, kit managers and medical personnel will be allowed into the stadium.

Others are the match officials, security personnel and camera men.

The reason for the decision to play the game without club supporters wasn’t stated by the league body.

The encounter will take place at the Bako Kontagora Stadium in Minna on Saturday (today).

SportsNews

Nigeria vs Egypt Friendly Gets New Date

Published

1 week ago

December 8, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Nigeria’s preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations have taken a fresh hit, with Egypt confirming that the highly anticipated friendly between both nations has been shifted from 14 to 16 December.

The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) announced the adjustment late Friday, noting that FIFA’s updated international release directive, which allows clubs keep African players until 15 December, made the original date unworkable.

EFA Vice President Khaled El-Darandaly explained that the new rule left both Egypt and Nigeria without full squads for the initial date.

Key Pharaohs players, including Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush, are now expected to arrive only after the new release window.

Egypt had already named its 28-man provisional squad and opened camp in Cairo, with head coach Hossam Hassan accelerating final preparations for a Group B campaign that includes South Africa, Angola and Zimbabwe.

Nigeria’s disruption is more extensive. The Super Eagles were originally scheduled to open camp on 10 December and progress through a streamlined friendly schedule before departing for Morocco. That entire framework has now been dismantled.

Under the revised timeline, camp will open on 14 December, leaving Eric Chelle with barely a week to prepare before AFCON kicks off.

The venue for the friendly is also now uncertain, with Cairo no longer feasible and both federations considering shifting the match to Morocco.

Nigeria’s build-up has been further destabilised by injuries to Ola Aina, Taiwo Awoniyi, Benjamin Fredrick and Felix Agu.

The shock retirement of captain William Troost-Ekong, winner of the 2023 AFCON Player of the Tournament award, creates an additional leadership vacuum in defence.

Chelle, who released a 55-man provisional list, must now trim his squad to 28 within a compressed window. Nigeria will compete in Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania as they chase a fourth continental title.