FORMER Manchester United defender Paul McShane has officially retired from playing to pursue a career in coaching.
The 36-year-old has spent the last season unusually playing with the Under-23s, while also coaching various age groups within the academy.
McShane made six appearances for the U23s in the campaign just gone, despite his age.
He is set to stay at United in a coaching capacity in the Professional Development Phase at the academy, which covers the U18s to U23s.
McShane won 33 caps for the Republic of Ireland across the course of his career, but failed to ever make a senior appearance for the Red Devils.
He did however enjoy spells with the likes of Hull City, Reading, West Brom and Brighton.
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McShane most recently played for League Two outfit Rochdale before joining United U23s last summer.
The defender was able to turn out for the youngsters as Premier League 2 rules state teams are allowed to field up to three outfield players over the age of 23.
But after one season as a player-coach for the U23s, McShane will now focus solely on his coaching career.
He told United’s website: “I’m calling it a day playing now.
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“I’ve had 20 years playing and I’ve come back into the club as a player-coach in the Under-23s. It’s been a great year and great experience but now it’s time to fully focus on the next stage of my career, which will be in coaching.
“It’s amazing how things work out. It’s a great way to end my career, to come back here and help the future generation with their careers.
“It was perfect, to be honest with you, when this role came about, and I’m grateful to the people who made it happen. I think it’s a great way to end my playing days.
“I am (proud). Sometimes when you’re on the journey itself, you can get lost in it. It’s a career where there’s lots of ups and downs and there’s so many challenges, but now, I think I can look back and have fond memories of different stages of my career.”
