Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Football, Manchester United, Preston North End
Chris Byfield
A Manchester United youngster who rejected a contract under Jose Mourinho is now unemployed at 27.
Josh Harrop appeared to have the world at his feet when he scored on his United debut against Crystal Palace back in 2017.
Following an impressive run in United’s academy, Harrop was handed a start in United’s final day clash and took his opportunity, latching on to Paul Pogba's pass to score in his side's 2-0 win.
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However, weeks later he turned down a new deal at United in search of regular first-team football and signed for Championship side Preston. There he went on to play 95 times, netting 13 goals, but was blighted by injury.
An ACL problem kept him out of the majority of the 2018-19 season, though he managed eight goals in all competitions upon his return the following campaign and was awarded a new three-year deal. He would not see it out.
After falling out of favour at Deepdale he was loaned to League One side Ipswich in January 2021, but failed to score or register an assist in 15 outings there.
The following January he was loaned to Fleetwood Town but made just five appearances. He was subsequently released from his Preston contract in September 2022.
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Harrop subsequently began training with Northampton and was able to earn a contract with the League Two side in December 2022.
At the time he admitted: "It's been a difficult few years, to be honest. I went to Preston with really high hopes but it was a rocky road there, sometimes it was really good, and other times it wasn’t so good.
"But that's football, it happens. I had a few loans and some injuries here and there. Nothing crazy, but little things which slowed my progress.
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"That's why, when I left Preston, I wanted to focus on my body and get myself right so I could go and do what I know I'm capable of and that's where I feel like I am now.
"I spoke to my agent and we didn't want to rush into going somewhere else straight away. I wanted to take a bit of time to work on myself and work on my body so I don't pick up these little injuries."
Unfortunately, injury issues limited him to just two brief substitute appearances as the Cobblers earned promotion to League One, with Northampton confirming that they would not be offering Harrop a new deal at the end of the season.
And with the summer window having shut, the former United wonderkid, aged 27, remains without a club.
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