Man Utd complete shock signing of 35-year-old former youth-team player to fill void left by Tom Huddlestone

Rowe, who graduated from United's youth team, returned to the club after 21 years on a free transfer on Tuesday. The midfielder played for teams like Wolves, Bristol City and Doncaster Rovers in his 17-year-long senior professional career where he made 650 appearances, before returning to his former club.

While Rowe has returned to Old Trafford, he won't be a part of the senior squad. Instead, he will take up a player-coach role in the club's Under-21 side replacing Tom Huddlestone who left the team at the end of the 2023/24 season. The 35-year-old could also feature in some EFL Trophy matches as the competition allows up to five players to feature for the U21 team.

Quoting the Red Devils, The Sun wrote, "He will create various unique development opportunities for United’s Academy players by coaching from within training sessions and driving daily standards on and off the pitch."

Erik ten Hag's side are off to a nightmare start in the 2024/25 campaign, having lost two out of their first three Premier League matches including an embarrassing defeat at the hands of arch-rivals Liverpool last Sunday. They will aim to get back to winning ways after the international break as they take on Southampton on September 14.