OTIS KHAN once appeared in the popular ITV show Ninja Warrior UK.
And the Grimsby midfielder hopes his side can overcome the next hurdle on Saturday FA cup draw fourth round.
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If the League Two Mariners get past Championship Luton, Khan will pray the draw will be a dream clash with him Manchester United.
Khan was a schoolboy in his youth team and spent ten years at the United Academy.
But at the age of 16, he suffered a broken heart when his beloved Red Devils decided to let him go.
And 27-year-old Khan was hurt more when he missed the confrontation with United who met the Championship side Reading on Saturday night – while playing for Yeovil in 2017 after being sent off in an earlier game.
He said: “Fingers crossed, if we beat Luton we’ll get United into the next round as I haven’t played against them at any level since I left. I’d like to play against them at Old Trafford.
“We know it will be difficult to play against Luton, but we beat Plymouth, who are top of League One, in the third round, so we know we can do it.”
The Manchester-raised Khan thought he would sign scholarship forms with the Old Trafford side after coming through their ranks.
But he was dealt a huge blow when he was told he was leaving after playing wide Marcus Rashford in United’s youth teams.
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Khan said: “I was heartbroken and then didn’t go to school for a week. I didn’t want to face anyone because everyone thought I would get a scholarship.
“Fortunately I got over it and realized there were other clubs.”
Khan signed for Sheffield United, before playing for Yeovil, Mansfield, Tranmere, Walsall and Leyton Orient.
He moved to Grimsby’s Blundell Park last summer and is enjoying life on Humberside to the fullest.
He said: “I thought I had a deal at Sunderland but it fell through so I went to Leyton Orient.
“The manager, Kenny Jackett, was fired two or three weeks after I arrived.
“The new boss, Richie Wellens, wanted to do things his way and wanted me off the books – but that’s football sometimes.”
He took part in Ninja Warrior UK – hosted by Ben Shephard, Chris Kamara and Rochelle Humes – in 2016.
Khan recalls, “I was watching TV with my sister when an ad for Ninja Warrior came out and she told me to sign up for it.
If you are good enough and impress the right people, there are always opportunities to make it in football.
Otis Khan
“I had a good time and managed to reach the semi-finals.”
Khan also wants to boost his international reputation by playing for Pakistan.
His paternal grandfather, Jamil Khan, emigrated to the United Kingdom and he still has relatives in the city of Faisalabad.
Khan was first called up to the Pakistan national team when he was 17, but due to visa complications and the country being banned by FIFA over third party interference, he has still not made his international debut.
He is now trying to acquire Pakistani citizenship so that he can play in their World Cup qualifiers, which are taking place this year.
The lack of players of South Asian descent in the professional game has long been a hot topic, with just 16 representatives in England’s top four divisions.
And Khan has been working with Riz Rehman, PFA’s player integration manager, in an effort to help the next generation of footballers from that part of the world.
He is also in regular contact with United youngster Zidane Iqbal, who is of Pakistani and Iraqi descent, to give him advice and guidance.
Khan said, “If you are good enough and impress the right people, there are always opportunities to make it in football.”