Norman Whiteside

The legendary Norman Whiteside is a former professional footballer who, at 16, became the youngest player to ever step out for Manchester United, while at 17 years and 41 days he displaced Pelé as the youngest footballer to take part in a World Cup when he stepped out for Northern Ireland during the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain. He also holds the record for being the youngest player to score in a League Cup and FA Cup final, as well as the youngest player to score a senior goal for Manchester United.

Born and raised in Belfast, Whiteside showed a natural talent for football at a young age and became famous in the Shankill area of the city where he lived as a footballing prodigy by the age of 11. He was offered a schoolboy contract by Manchester United and joined their Youth Academy in 1978. He signed a professional contract in 1982 when he was 17, going on to become a key member of the side. He went on to score 68 goals in 278 league and cup appearances for the club over seven years, helping the side win two FA Cups. He remained with United until 1989, then he transferred to Everton for £600k. But he was forced to retire from the game just two years later due to a knee injury. He was only 26. On the international stage, he earned 38 caps with Northern Ireland, representing his country at the 1982 and 1986 FIFA World Cups, as well as helping them to win the last ever British Home Championship in 1983-84. After retiring, he became a qualified podiatrist (foot doctor) and later began working with corporate hospitality at Old Trafford. He also became a popular After Dinner Speaker, a football pundit, and host of his own podcast. He released his first book, My Memories of Manchester United, in 2003, and his autobiography, Determined, in 2007.

Whiteside regularly connects with his legions of followers and fans through Twitter, posting pictures and videos about his life around football.