Former Man Utd player reveals why he signed for rival club as fans attack him on social media days after money revelation

A former Manchester United player has revealed why he signed for a rival team after leaving the club in a heated exchange with fans who attacked him on social media for the move.

Demetri Mitchell came through the Manchester United academy but was never able to secure a long term place at the club. He went on loans spells, but when he returned Mitchell was not able to impress the coaches at United enough to stay at Old Trafford.

And it is his journey at the clubs he played for after saying goodbye to MUFC that have caused fans to find their voice this week over on X (formerly Twitter).

While at United, Mitchell enjoyed two loan spells at Heart of Midlothian, also known as Hearts, in the Scottish Premiership side.

During his spell there, he played 34 games and scored twice before going back to the North West of England.

After moving to Blackpool at the end of his Man Utd contract, it was his choice of club after the Seasiders that continue to ruffle feathers to this day.

Mitchell reveals why he joined Hearts' rivals Hibernian

Mitchell was a United player and joined Hearts on loan both the times he went there.

When his contract ended in 2020, he had to look for other clubs - and after his spell in Blackpool, it was Hibernian that offered him a deal.

This week on X, Mitchell shared a video showing a stunning goal he scored for Hearts that had been recreated in the FIFA video game series - but the clip has received criticism from fans.

With fans calling out his move to the rivals, the player explained why he chose to move to Hibs after playing for their direct rival up in Scotland

He said: "I had six months left on my deal, wasn’t playing and a baby on the way. And fans ask why you signed for a rival team, like I’m going to put a club before my son? Makes no sense to me."

When a fan sends you fifa footage of yourself and it reminds you of real life haha

thanks @roloknight_10 IG for the footage #Manunited #Hearts #Fifa pic.twitter.com/Vem1136Vi3

— Demetri Mitchell (@demetrimitche11) June 17, 2025

Mitchell 'prioritising family'

The user also spoke about Mitchell's contract and opined that it was a massive wage.

"I don’t care who you sign for I don’t follow you or your club, my point is that 190k already is an extortionate amount to earn. And to say you’ve signed a new deal which means you’ll earn even more… be grateful," his tweet read.

Mitchell responded to it by explaining his situation more. He said: "I am grateful, £190,000 per year is good when you’re on it - but what I’m trying to say is I’ve seen players go from that or more to nothing within six months and then not get a club and out the game, back at the call centre. You just didn’t get it like most intelligent people did."

He replied to another comment from a user and said: "Proper weird that I wanted to feed my family and pay my mortgage."

Mitchell's video was widely shared and sparked a lot of debate on X about wages footballer's earn.

He stated that footballer's contracts were not as 'lucrative and glamours' as there were a lot of expenses they had to bear.

Mitchell has been interacting with his followers and also asked Hearts fans if they would take him back.

He played for League One team Exeter City last year, but his contract with the team came to an end at the end of the season and there are no updates on his new deal yet.

What footballers really earn

Taking to TikTok earlier this week, Mitchell explained the reality of a football who takes home 'two or three grand a week'.

Comparing it to a different profession, such as a doctor, he said: "The difference is the doctor is guaranteed pretty much [that amount] until he's 65, whereas players in the EFL from League One downwards are on one or two-year contracts. Let's say you're getting three grand a week - you're getting taxed 45 per cent, and then you've got five percent agent fees. You've only seen half of that, so you've got £1,500 that you're getting in a week.

"Don't get me wrong it's a good amount of money, but when you've got a mortgage and a car, and then your missus can't work because she's living away from Manchester, your expenses are very high. So when that contract is finished – and you've got the expenses of four grand a month – you're in a bit of a pickle. You have to be careful with your money and your spending."