Man Utd sign free agent midfielder over two decades after he left club
Former Manchester United academy graduate Tommy Rowe has returned to the club as a player-coach, more than two decades after departing to pursue a long career in the English Football League (EFL).
Rowe initially joined United as a teenager but left in 2003 to sign with Stockport County, where he made his first senior appearance four years later.
The Wythenshawe-born midfielder has since accumulated over 500 appearances in the EFL, including stints in the Championship with Peterborough, Wolves, and Bristol City. He was most recently with Doncaster Rovers.
After parting ways with Rovers in June, Rowe participated in a pre-season trial with United’s under-21 squad. In Premier League 2 and EFL Trophy competitions, the under-21s can field up to five over-age players. Last season, Tom Huddlestone served in this capacity.
Huddlestone has since left United for a full-time coaching position at Wigan Athletic, while Paul McShane, who previously held the player-coach role, is now solely a coach after retiring in 2022. Neither featured for the first team, though both played for the Under-21s.
Rowe, now 35, made his Premier League 2 debut on August 16, and the club has officially confirmed his signing.
“The experienced midfielder will create various unique development opportunities for United’s Academy players by coaching from within training sessions and driving daily standards on and off the pitch,” United said when announcing Rowe’s arrival.
The veteran player has completed the full 90 minutes in Under-21 matches against Arsenal, Stoke, and Blackburn. In the game against Blackburn, he stepped in as a left-back, contributing to United’s 3-1 victory with goals from Ethan Ennis, Sam Mather, and Gabriele Bianchieri.
Another recent addition to the squad, Hubert Graczyk, was on the bench during the win. The 21-year-old Polish goalkeeper joined United after leaving Arsenal at the end of last season.
United have also sent several academy players out on loan, with many securing moves to EFL clubs, non-league teams, and overseas. Among the recent departures is James Nolan, who has joined Scottish League One side Inverness Caledonian Thistle for the season.
Nolan made his debut under Duncan Ferguson over the weekend, playing the last 23 minutes in a win against Queen of the South.
Sonny Aljofree, another United defender, also secured a late loan move, joining Accrington Stanley after extending his contract with United.
“I have done my first session at Accrington this morning and I have settled in well, I am buzzing to be with the lads,” the centre-back said. “I have been at Manchester United for the best part of my life, 13 years, that’s all I have known, and it’s a good time for me now to step out of my comfort zone, and try and get some appearances in the league.”
