Rio Ngumoha has become a Liverpool hero at the age of 16 but could have been starring for rivals Manchester United had he chosen the Red Devils over the Merseysiders.
The English teenage starlet came off the bench and scored a 90+10th minute winner in a 3-2 win for Arne Slot's defending champions against Newcastle United on Monday. It was his very first top-flight appearance, and made him the youngest goalscorer in the club's history.
Ngumoha also became only the second 16-year-old to score a winner in the Premier League, following in the footsteps of Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney. He could have taken up a similar path as the Red Devils' all-time top goalscorer.
How Rio Ngumoha Ended Up At Liverpool Not Man United
White Black Modern Photo Collage Before After Youtube Thumbnail - 2025-08-27T201741.539
Ngumoha started his youth career as a member of Chelsea's academy but headed to Liverpool in September 2024. He was one of the most coveted teenage prospects, with the Merseyside giants seeing off competition from Manchester United to bring him to Anfield.
The 11-cap England U17 international visited United in June 2024 and was informed of what plans the club had for him. They knew that their arch-rivals were in "pole position" to sign him but they still "pushed for his signature anyway", per The Athletic.
The Sun reports that Ngumoha was left "impressed" with the pathway shown by Liverpool, with Conor Bradley and Jarell Quansah (now at Bayer Leverkusen) used as examples. He saw how quickly they were fast-tracked into the first-team.
White Black Modern Photo Collage Before After Youtube Thumbnail - 2025-08-27T204057.843
Ngumoha started training and playing with the Reds' youth teams but was soon brought into Arne Slot's senior team for first-team training. He caught the eye and the club looked to curb expectations by reportedly ordering their media team to remove clips of him.
Rio Ngumoha Supported Man United
White Black Modern Photo Collage Before After Youtube Thumbnail - 2025-08-27T202132.965
Nguhoma seemingly turned down the chance to play for the club he supported during his childhood when he opted to join Liverpool last year. He'd revealed in a viral video promoting Adidas F5O boots that he had grown up as a United fan.
The English wonderkid was asked to choose between club legend David Beckham and current Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham. He responded, "I was a Man United fan, I didn't really watch David Beckham but I'll have to go David Beckham."
Ngumoha, born in August 2008, would have been just five when Sir Alex Ferguson retired and oversaw the last campaign in which United won the Premier League title. He wasn't even born when Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo lifted the Champions League trophy in Moscow after defeating Chelsea in the final in May 2008.
The London-born winger is the latest boyhood Red Devil supporter to play for a rival Premier League club. Cole Palmer was also a fan but has now played for Manchester City and Chelsea.