Forgotten Man United man announces he is leaving without making a single appearance
Tom Huddlestone announced his departure from Manchester United this summer without ever having played a senior game.
Huddlestone was an unsurprising signing in 2022 after his contract in City Helmet expired, joining joined Under-21.
The midfielder was hired as player-coach of the under-21 team, where he played 24 times in two years as an experienced leader among the club's talented young stars.
However, the former Tottenham The star has never appeared for the senior team and has now announced that he will leave the club permanently.
Writing on social media, the 37-year-old said: “Today marks my last days at this incredible football club.
“Over the past two seasons, I have experienced remarkable growth and invaluable learning, both on and off the court.
“Every day I have had the privilege of learning from incredible people and gaining insight into all aspects of player development and well-being.
“Entering an office environment for the first time was daunting, but from day one I was made to feel welcome and at ease.
“I am and will be forever grateful for the smooth transition.
“For any senior professional considering a career in coaching, I highly recommend taking on the role of ‘playing coach’ for a season or two towards the end of your playing career.
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“This experience has been eye-opening and has revealed the dedication that goes into planning, executing and analyzing each training session, as well as the careful preparation of the match schedule.
“These efforts are often taken for granted as a player, so to witness and participate in this side of the game has been truly extraordinary.
“I wish the club every success in the future. A special thank you to everyone at the academy, both players and staff, especially Trav, Demps, Nick and Macca, for giving me this incredible opportunity. Best of luck in the future” .
It remains to be seen whether Huddlestone will permanently retire as a player and concentrate on training after his time at Old Trafford.
The former England international began his career in Derby County before joining Tottenham in 2005, where he played for eight years.
He then signed with Hull City for four years before returning to Derby in 2017, playing for three years and then rejoining the Tigers for one year.
United then signed him after his second spell on Humberside, adding his wealth of experience to the youth team where he replaced Paul McShane as player-coach.
