Tom Huddlestone

Huddlestone is viewed as the perfect role model for United's young players having been capped by England and played close to 250 Premier League games for ...

"On the back of last season it was difficult," he added. It's part and parcel of football and you have to deal with it the best you can but I can't lie and say it wasn't frustrating." "I would hope [to play more] but I've been in football long enough to know that you never know," Heaton said. "Last season was frustrating, I can't lie. "The situation we found ourselves in, it spiralled a little bit. It was a tough season, working all week and then David and Deano were there with David doing most of the playing and Dean sat on the bench.

Manchester United are in talks with former Tottenham and England midfielder Tom Huddlestone over a player-coach role with the club's Under-21 side.U.

Paddy Power: Bet £5 via the talkSPORT EDGE app with Paddy Power and get a £5 free bet – available to all customers* – CLAIM HERE In June, Liverpool made a similar appointment with Jay Spearing penning a deal to return to Anfield as part of the under-23 set-up, having left the club in 2013. McShane’s return to the club in the hybrid role was deemed a success with the Irishman now taking up a full-time role as the club’s Professional Development Phase coach. Having a player-coach within the academy set up was an idea implemented by United’s head of Academy Nick Cox with the appointment of McShane the first step in trialling the initiative. Any deal would mean Huddlestone would not be available for the first team and despite United currently in the market for a midfielder, Huddlestone instead will be involved in daily training sessions with United’s new crop of talent. Manchester United are in talks with former Tottenham and England midfielder Tom Huddlestone over a player-coach role with the club’s Under-21 side.

Man Utd have made another appointment at youth level with a former England international joining the ranks.

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Manchester United are on the verge of signing free agent Tom Huddlestone as a player-coach for their Under-21 side.

Huddlestone’s imminent arrival is one of a number of new staffing additions at Old Trafford this summer, with manager Erik ten Hag keen to overhaul the club on and off the pitch. United felt he brought ‘major value’ to the youth team and their development and have been looking to bring in a replacement throughout the summer, finally landing on Huddlestone. The ex-Tottenham midfielder has been out of contract since his previous deal with Championship side Hull City expired at the end of last season and is now on the verge of a surprise move to Old Trafford.

Manchester United are reportedly contemplating whether to hand a player-coach contract to veteran midfielder Tom Huddlestone.

Should Huddlestone agree terms with United, it would represent the first step that he has made with regards to becoming a full-time coach in the future. That was partly down to injuries and that has seemingly led to the former England midfielder looking to enhance his prospects after the end of his playing days. According to The Telegraph, there is interest in bringing in the 35-year-old in a player-coach position, like Paul McShane has previously occupied at the club.

The vastly experienced former Tottenham, Derby and Hull midfielder, 35, has been appointed to the Red Devils' academy setup in a player-coach capacity.

“The experienced midfielder 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,” United said of the arrival of Huddlestone, who earned four senior England caps between 2009-12. Huddlestone, who was released by Championship side Hull at the end of last season, will have to pass a medical in order to play for United’s Under-21s team in 2022/23. The vastly experienced former Tottenham, Derby and Hull midfielder, 35, has been appointed to the Red Devils' academy setup in a player-coach capacity.