Former Manchester United Academy Graduate Retires: Shared Debut with Rashford

A former Manchester United academy graduate who made his debut alongside Marcus Rashford has announced his retirement from professional football. The player, James Weir, had the opportunity to play alongside Rashford during a crucial European match at Old Trafford. Rashford, who was just 18 years old at the time, scored two goals to help United secure a victory in the Europa League round of 32. Three days later, Rashford made his Premier League debut and once again impressed his manager. However, Weir's career took a different path. Despite his initial debut, he never made another appearance for United and eventually retired from football at the age of 28.

In a statement shared on his Instagram page, Weir expressed his gratitude for the experiences and relationships he gained throughout his career. He acknowledged the support of his family, friends, coaches, teammates, and fans. Weir also mentioned that despite facing injuries, he was able to live his dream of playing professional football and is now excited to pursue his next dream outside of the sport.

Following his time at Manchester United, Weir joined Hull City on a permanent deal but had limited playing time. He later had a short loan spell at Wigan Athletic before joining Bolton Wanderers in 2019. While Weir's career may not have reached the same heights as Rashford's, he expressed contentment with the memories and experiences he gained during his time in the game.