The ex-Manchester United youngster who took on FIFA finally gets chance to live out his World Cup dream

"Fall seven times, stand up eight." That was the reaction from the Pakistan FF social media team after the players went down fighting in their World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia and that same mantra certainly rings true for their Manchester United-schooled No.7.

Otis Khan - who progressed through the famous Old Trafford youth system before making his name further down the Football League pyramid - captained Pakistan for the first time in their 4-0 defeat at Al-Ettifaq's home stadium on Thursday afternoon. But that only tells part of his unique story.

Born in Ashton-under-Lyne, the 28-year-old winger is well-versed in the United way after spending a decade with the Premier League giants, playing for various age-group teams before departing in 2012. Khan - like so many other United hopefuls - then had to map out his own journey.

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Naturally, there have been plenty of twists and turns along the way - not least between the last two international breaks - but there was finally sweet justice for Khan in a gallant losing cause on the field. Donning the armband for his country was the crowning moment in a 10-year career that highlights what it takes to make it on the other side, but those hopes for Khan and his family were so nearly snatched away by FIFA.

Sheffield United picked the winger up when he was released by United in 2012 and he spent three years at Bramall Lane, making three senior appearances. Spells with 11 more sides followed - including loans - before Khan signed for Grimsby Town last summer shortly after their return to League Two.

It was quite the first 12 months