Ex-Man United star – who was tipped by Louis van Gaal to be a ‘club great’ – becomes a free agent after his side were relegated to League One less than 10 years after he left Old Trafford

A former Manchester United academy graduate has been made a free agent by his club after they were relegated to League One.

It comes eight years after the former defender, who was backed by ex-United manager Louis van Gaal to become a ‘big’ club, left Old Trafford for pastures new.

The player also represented England at age level on several occasions, but would never earn a call-up to the Three Lions senior squad.

Rotherham have had a tough season in the Championship, finishing bottom of the table with a paltry 27 points.

The Millers finished 18 points behind Huddersfield, who finished the season one place above them, having lost 29 games this season and won five.

Speculation is mounting over the futures of several team members, with new boss Steve Evans revealing that around 16 players will leave the AESSEAL New York Stadium this summer, including the former Man United star.

Ex-Man United manager Louis van Gaal once claimed the player would be a ‘great’ club player

30-year-old Tyler Blackett is one of eleven players who are out of contract this summer and will subsequently leave the club because they have not been offered a new contract.

The left-back joined South Yorkshire in March 2023 after spending time playing for MLS side FC Cincinnati.

Blackett played in Rotherham’s first ten games of the season, starting as a centre-back, winning only one game: a 2–1 win against Norwich and scoring once against Bristol City. Despite this, he would not appear again from October 4 until the end of the season – he was appointed to the bench once.

On Monday he wrote on Instagram: ‘#STAYTHECOURSE A frustrating and difficult season, both on and off the field. So much to say and many frustrations…but STILL I loved every minute of playing for you Millers! Thank you and support all around.

“Once you survive the storm… you have to figure out why you went through it!?”

The defender started his professional football career in the youth academy of Man United, where he played on loan at Blackpool and Birmingham City, while he learned his trade with the reserves.

He would make his senior debut against Swansea City on 16 August 2014, aged 20, before making twelve appearances for United.

Blackett was once tipped by Louis van Gaal to make a ‘great’ club, with the Dutch manager claiming: ‘He is another young player who has risen through the Academy system to break into the first team this season.

Tyler Blackett’s contract at Rotherham will not be extended after the club was relegated

Blackett (left) made 12 senior appearances for Man United after rising through the academy

“Tyler has great potential and I believe he is at the right club to continue his development and become a great defender.”

Blackett also made several appearances in the English age group and would eventually leave Man United to join Reading on a permanent deal after a loan spell at Celtic.

It was here that he spent most of his senior career, making 122 appearances in all competitions for the club.

Blackett has also opened up about his departure from Old Trafford, claiming he made the decision to leave to continue his playing career.

“I wouldn’t say it was the hardest decision. It was a selfish decision,” Blackett said The times.

‘We all have our own ambitions and we have to make decisions, not for the team, but for personal reasons.

“Over the years you see players who you think maybe should have moved but stayed at United.

‘Every player has their own ambitions and you have to take charge of your own career.’

He will leave Rotherham alongside former Stoke and Swansea player Sam Clucas, Nottingham Forest and Olympiakos midfielder Cafu and ex-Leeds and Cardiff defender Lee Peltier.

He joined Rotherham last year and the defender went on to make ten appearances for the club

Blackett thanked Rotherham on Instagram and said he ‘loved playing for the Millers’

Blackett played most of his professional career for Reading, making 122 appearances

New manager Evans said of the squad changes: ‘There have been a number of frank and open discussions with players on and off contract and we have had to make some very difficult decisions, but every one of them has been taken in relation to the future of Rotherham United . at the forefront of our priorities.

‘I would like to put on record that everyone in the building has been a pleasure to work with since I walked through the door, and those leaving the club do so with our very best wishes.

“Clearly this summer is a big one in terms of recruitment, but we are already well underway with the process and are excited about the challenge ahead.”