A former Manchester United academy has made a shock return to the club more than 20 years after leaving.
Tommy Rowe, who began his career at United as a teenager before leaving in 2003, has returned to Manchester after a distinguished career in the EFL. Rowe first joined Stockport County after leaving United, making his senior debut in 2007, four years later.
Now, 21 years since his departure from United, Rowe has rejoined the club on a new contract. In June, the 35-year-old participated in a pre-season trial with United’s under-21 team, where he performed impressively. He played the full 90 minutes in Premier League 2 matches against Arsenal, Stoke, and Blackburn.
Following these matches, United announced Rowe would take on a role as a player-coach. According to the club, Rowe will provide unique development opportunities for the Academy players, coaching during training sessions and upholding daily standards both on and off the pitch.
Rowe takes over from Tom Huddlestone, who left to pursue a full-time coaching role at Wigan Athletic, and Paul McShane, who will remain as a coach after retiring from playing in 2022.
Before his return to United, Rowe made over 500 appearances across the EFL, including stints in the Championship with Peterborough, Wolves, and Bristol City, and his most recent club was Doncaster Rovers.
His arrival to the U21 team comes as a valuable boost, especially after several top players from the squad were loaned out. A notable departure is 19-year-old Sonny Aljofree, who, after extending his contract with United, will spend the 2024/25 season on loan at League Two club Accrington Stanley.
On the Accrington Stanley website, the centre-back remarked, “I’ve spent most of my life, 13 years, at Manchester United, which has been my only experience. Now feels like the right moment to step out of my comfort zone and gain some league appearances.”
