Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Manchester United, Premier League, Jose Mourinho
Josh Lawless
A Manchester United prospect who rejected a contract under Jose Mourinho is now a free agent at 29 but has made a surprise career move.
On the last day of the 2016/17 season against Crystal Palace, Josh Harrop was handed his first-team debut by Mourinho at a sold-out Old Trafford.
His dream came true as Harrop scored the first goal in a 2-0 win, getting on the end of a pass from Paul Pogba to become United's 100th goalscorer in the Premier League.
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Local lad Harrop had come through the ranks at United and afterwards, the Man of the Match and a slew of academy graduates like Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard, Angel Gomes, Pogba and Scott McTominay all took a picture.
However, that was to be the one and only appearance Harrop made for United at the 'Theatre of Dreams'. He turned down a new three-year contract in the summer in search of regular football and signed for Preston North End, where he played 95 times.
Harrop also turned out for Ipswich Town, Fleetwood, Northampton and Cheltenham - his most recent club.
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Persistent injuries, including an ACL, tendon injury and cracked cartilage in his knee, stunted his progress and left him out in the cold.
He's spent time training with Morecambe, Mansfield and Altrincham and though he hasn't returned to the game yet, he feels as though he still has it in him to continue playing.
"It’s not easy because everyone you know around you always knows you as the footballer,” Harrop said in an interview with The Guardian.
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“Nothing’s fallen into place at the minute. I had a lot of opportunities abroad and in Scotland but I’ve lived away for two years. I’m the fittest I’ve ever been, no issues. I’ve done a full two seasons of being fit. In my mind, I’ve still got five years left in my career.”
Harrop's latest move, however, sees him join the new Baller League in the UK alongside a slew of ex professionals, futsal players, academy prospects and content creators.
Jordon Ibe, Jerome Sinclair, Bakary Sako, Henri Lansbury and Marvin Sordell are just some of the notable names to have been selected in the six-a-side league's NBA-style draft which took place on Monday.
Though managers of the 12 teams include John Terry, Luis Figo, Ian Wright and Gary Lineker, Harrop was picked by Clint 149 (Ogbenna), the owner of fashion brand Cortez - and will take to the pitch for 30 minutes game in front of more than 5,000 fans at the Copper Box Arena in London every Monday.
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Matchdays will also be streamed live on Sky Sports, as well as Baller League's YouTube and Twitch channels after the enormous success in Germany.
"It’s funny because I was speaking to a friend about it one day and the next I woke up to a message asking if I wanted to play,” Harrop said on how he came to get involved.
“As I’m a free agent, this gives me something to focus on – it’s also football and that’s what I love doing. The concept’s quite different to what I’ve ever done. I’m going to go, have some fun and enjoy my football. I’m still gonna be competitive, because I’m a competitive person."
20,000 footballers applied and the 144 who were successful will be paid £400 per game for their involvement.