Former Manchester United talent Joe Rothwell could win a second Championship promotion in a row – this time with Leeds United.
We have spoken recently about the difficulties surrounding sustained success for Manchester United’s academy talents.
Emulating the ‘Class of 92’ is almost impossible and the likes of Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford have hit problems at Old Trafford.
Josh Harrop is now playing in the Baller League, just eight years since scoring on his Premier League debut for United.
Harrop has hailed Adnan Januzaj’s talent, but he is just another player who promises so much but fizzles out.
Other youngsters leave United at a young age to chase first-team action elsewhere, often dropping into the EFL.
Leeds United’s Joe Rothwell on Manchester United exit
Joe Rothwell is one such case, with the midfielder joining the United ranks at the age of just six.
The Manchester-born ace progressed up through the ranks and was named on the bench for a 1-0 Premier League win over Watford back in 2016.
Rothwell still decided to leave United, though, deciding that the time had come for a permanent departure.
Loans with Blackpool and Barnsley didn’t reap much success, and Rothwell decided to quit United in order to join up with former Old Trafford talent Michael Appleton at Oxford United.
Speaking to More Than A Game, Rothwell has admitted that he turned down the offer of a new contract at United.
Rothwell simply felt that the time had come for first-team action elsewhere and grasped that chance at Oxford United.
Rothwell was determined to return to the Premier League upon leaving United though, driving him on to succeed after departing Old Trafford.
“I’d turned 21, so it was getting to a stage where I needed to go and play men’s football and get some exposure, really,” said Rothwell.
“I got the phone call from Oxford, Michael Appleton was the manager at the time. I spoke to him, he said he really liked me and he tried to sign me previously on loan.
“I’d got to 21, and I knew the time was right for me to leave United. Obviously, it was tough; it was all I ever knew, but I knew the time was right. I needed to get out and start playing games, and, thankfully, Oxford gave me that opportunity to do that.
“It was a big motivation for me to, when I left, my aim was always to get back to the Premier League, and I knew that was something that was going to play a big part in me doing that. Obviously, I’m really thankful to Oxford for bringing me in,” he added.
Joe Rothwell on Ravel Morrison
Rothwell was also asked to name the best player he played alongside and decided to go with Ravel Morrison.
Morrison was an absolute wonderkid in the United ranks and on pure talent alone, he looked set for superstardom.
The attacking midfielder never quite hit those heights, though, and left United for West Ham United in 2015.
Morrison is now playing in Dubai, and whilst the 32-year-old may not have become an Old Trafford star, Rothwell raved about his ability.
“You hear everyone at United say the same thing, and that was Ravel.
“He was obviously older than me but I did play a few games with him, he was just different. His technical ability, his aura, he wasn’t afraid to do anything.
“If he messed up, it didn’t bother him. He’d go and get it again, and then stick it through someone else’s legs, he wasn’t bothered,” said Rothwell.
Rothwell won promotion to the Premier League as a Southampton player last season and could repeat the trick with Leeds United this term.
Rothwell is only on loan at Leeds from Bournemouth but may yet land himself a permanent move to Elland Road – and potentially put himself in contention to face United in the top flight next season.
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