Man United re-sign former academy star TWO DECADES after he left the club… with forgotten midfielder set to take up player-coach role with U21s
- Man United have re-signed a former youth player, 20 years after he left
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Manchester United have re-signed a former youth talent – 20 years after he left the club – as player-coach of the Under-21 team.
The Red Devils are looking for a replacement for Tom Huddlestone, who left United in May after two years in that role with the U21s.
Meanwhile, Huddlestone’s predecessor, Paul McShane, is now just a coach after his retirement in 2022.
That is why the Red Devils have been looking for a new player for the position and have chosen to sign former youth player Tommy Rowe.
Rowe played for United as a teenager but left for Stockport County in 2003, where he made his first-team debut four years later.
Man United have confirmed the appointment of Tommy Rowe (centre) as player-coach of U21
Rowe spent time in United’s youth academy before leaving and starting his professional career
He went on to play over 500 games for clubs including Peterborough, Wolves and Bristol City.
A statement on the club’s website confirmed: ‘The experienced midfielder will create a range of unique development opportunities for United’s youth players through coaching during training sessions and improving day-to-day standards on and off the pitch.
‘Rowe will play occasionally for United U21 as one of five permitted senior outfield players in the Premier League 2 and the EFL Trophy.’
The news comes after Huddlestone left after two years in the role at the Red Devils.
In February, Huddlestone started against Manchester City in the Premier League 2, playing the full 90 minutes for a team where only one teammate was born when he made his first-team debut.
Rowe’s arrival comes shortly after Tom Huddlestone left the club in May
After Ethan Wheatley had put United ahead, Huddlestone went back in time and scored a trademark thunderbolt from inside the penalty area to put United through a 2-1 victory over their rivals.
In a social media post, Huddlestone stressed that it had been an “incredible” experience to end his active career as a youth team coach.