Paul McShane has made a remarkable return to Manchester United to take up a role as a player-coach with the club's Under-23s.
The 35-year-old was most recently at Brian Barry-Murphy's Rochdale but departed the League Two club at the end of last season.
McShane spent time at United's academy in the early noughties. He was part of their 2003 FA Youth Cup-winning side, though he never appeared in a competitive first-team game.
He has now joined the Under-23s set-up as one of three registered over-age players.
The 33-times capped Republic of Ireland international has his A-licence badge and has been coaching the Red Devils' Under-16s. He'll be tasked with passing on his experience to the younger players on the field while also progressing his own coaching ambitions.
"I'm extremely pleased to be rejoining a club that means so much to me," the Wicklow man told the club website.
"I've 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've 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."
