Man Utd make transfer swoop for ex-academy defender McShane as player-coach for Under-23s

MANCHESTER UNITED have re-signed former defender Paul McShane as a player-coach for their Under-23s side.

The 35-year-old ex-Republic of Ireland international came through the Red Devils’ youth set-up before leaving for West Brom in 2006.

McShane spent a decade on the international stage playing for IrelandThe defender failed to ever make a first team appearance for the English giants

McShane, who left Rochdale at the end of last season, has joined Neil Wood’s coaching set-up at Carrington as one of a trio of over-age players.

And according to Manchester Evening News, the veteran defender has been brought in not only to improve the Under-23 strikers in training, but also in the hope he will coach the team on the field, utilising his experience to help his teammates.

Upon his arrival, he told the club website: “I am extremely pleased to be rejoining a club that means so much to me.

“I have been working on my coaching badges for several years and the opportunity to work with young players, whilst also playing in certain games, is the perfect role.

“I have developed a great deal of knowledge over my career and I look forward to mentoring and supporting the next generation of academy graduates by passing on all of my experience.

“It feels very special to be back to where I began my professional career and I can’t wait to get started in supporting these talented players to reach their immense potential.”

McShane, who has an A-licence badge, has been coaching the Under-16s side recently.

He never played a competitive match for the Red Devils during his two seasons with the first team in the mid-2000s.

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But in his youth team days at Old Trafford he did manage to win the 2003 FA Youth Cup.

He then went on to play for a host of English clubs including the likes of West Brom, Sunderland, Hull City and Reading.

Along with boss of the Under-23s set-up Wood, McShane will also work with assistant manager Mark Dempsey.

Dempsey, 57, is another former Man Utd academy prospect and also featured for the first team.

After leaving the club in 1986 he played for Swindon Town, Sheffield United, Chesterfield Town, Rotherham United and Macclesfield Town.

Following a number of managerial role- mainly in Norway – he then returned to Man Utd in 2018.

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