Benny leaves today for Man Utd stint

Benny, 16, and 13-year-old Flowers, fondly referred to as “little Ronaldo”, stood out amongst a group of 30 finalists from across the Caribbean who were put to the test by Manchester United academy coaches Mike Neary and William Miller.

Benny, who scored an instinctive half-line goal during the first of two scrimmages during the Flow Ultimate Football Experience final, said it’s a dream come true to visit his favourite club, Manchester United, and meet his favourite player, Spain’s Juan Mata, as well other stars such as France international Paul Pogba and Spain international Ander Herrera.

“It was at the start of the second half and I (quickly) spotted to goalkeeper off his line,” said the Belmont-born Trinidad and Tobago Under-17 footballer as he recalled the moment.

“After I scored Mike (Neary) came and congratulated me, and he gave me a wink. I knew from then I had made it, although it didn’t stop me from working.” Benny also said that Dwight Yorke, the Tobago- born Manchester United legend and ambassador, who he had met before for shooting tips during a training session with the TT U-17s, had reminded him on the day that he was representing Trinidad and Tobago in the Flow Ultimate Football Experience challenge.

Benny who dribbled his way to the top prize said he has also been weaving through all the attention over the past two weeks which included on-camera interviews.

Flowers, who, like Benny, wants to become a professional footballer, said, “The (Ultimate Football Experience) challenge was very difficult because there were other talented players but I played hard.”Both Benny and Flowers will enjoy a VIP experience, not limited to themselves but also a guardian and their respective club coach, at Old Trafford, Manchester United’s iconic stadium in Greater Manchester over a four-day period.

Rangers U-17 coach Everette “Rocket” Williams, who will accompany Benny and his uncle Kevin Villafana, said the visit will include touring the famous Manchester United museum, witnessing a training session under the Red Devils’ first team boss Jos? Mourinho and witness the club’s final English Premier League clash of the season against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Benny and his coach are both hoping he also gets a chance showcase his talent against Manchester United academy players, and experience a glimpse at life at one of the world’s most-recognised and symbolic athletic centres, the state-of-the-art Aon Training Complex.

Benny, who joined Rangers seven years ago from Trendsetter Hawks, a former club of his coach Williams, also represents St. Anthony’s College.

(ttproleague